Bangkok: The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy has initiated a process to select frigate designs by appointing a dedicated committee. This committee is tasked with drafting the terms of reference for the procurement of two new ships, awaiting the necessary governmental approval. A comprehensive inspection of all exhibitors at a recent arms expo revealed that no specific national designs have been prioritized, emphasizing that public interest and economic considerations remain at the forefront of the selection strategy.
According to Thai News Agency, General Pairote Fuangchan, the Commander-in-Chief, addressed the progress in identifying private companies for the frigate procurement initiative. After attending defense and security exhibitions globally, General Pairote noted that the final decision would involve an offset policy, mandating domestic construction to ensure economic benefits for the nation. He assured that these ships are intended to serve the people and emphasized the military's role in acquiring and maintaining the vessels. His directive is clear: maximize public benefits with a focus on domestic construction.
In response to speculations about potential interest in Turkish frigates, Admiral Pairoj clarified his openness to designs from all nations, mentioning his visits to Turkish companies and others, including South Korean firms like Ocean and Hyundai SK. He has designated Admiral Korawit Chayarathi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, to lead the design selection committee, which is actively drafting the terms of reference. The Admiral indicated that if additional vessels are required, he will pursue the necessary approval from the government and Cabinet.