British multinational defence company BAE Systems today, January 29, signed a contract with the Thai shipbuilding company Bangkok Dock to assist in the licensed construction of a second 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Royal Thai Navy.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide engineering support and advice during construction of the vessel in Thailand.
BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business commercial director Nigel Stewart said: “We’re looking forward to building and strengthening our relationship with Thailand’s shipbuilding industry. This contract to support delivery of a second Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Royal Thai Navy is a clear endorsement of our versatile Offshore Patrol Vessel design.”
“With three of these ships already in service in Brazil and a further three Offshore Patrol Vessels under construction for the UK Royal Navy, our design continues to attract significant interest internationally.”
According to BAE Systems their offshore patrol vessel is a cost-effective solution for navies, as it provides options for BAE Systems to construct vessels in its facilities in Glasgow, Scotland, or for international customers to build ships under licenced design agreements using their own indigenous industries.
The Royal Thai Navy accepted its first 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel, HTMS Krabi, from Bangkok Dock in 2013, which is a variant of the baseline BAE Systems design. HTMS Krabi has already completed around 1000 days at sea with the Royal Thai Navy. Furthermore, the company delivered three offshore patrol vessels built in the UK to the Brazilian Navy from 2013 to 2014 and is constructing three Offshore Patrol Vessels for the UK Royal Navy at its facilities in Glasgow, Scotland.
The ships are of the same baseline design, with modifications to meet UK Royal Navy requirements. The UK Government committed to buy two further Offshore Patrol Vessels in its recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.
The company further said that their design can be modified for either naval or coast guard needs, including options for a hangar, alternative combat systems, boats and internal compartments, such as additional aft accommodation.