Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and French defense technology company Thales have signed an agreement to support the modernization of the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) fleet.
It is understood that three Thales Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems will be supplied for the modernization of two Pattani-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) and the upgrade of the HTMS Chang Landing Platform Dock (LPD), to be carried out by Navantia. Thales is set to provide an IFF system with an interrogator for medium and long-range surveillance and identification, as well as a transponder, to be integrated into radars and surveillance systems.
According to Thales, IFF systems can be “highly effective” components of modern naval operations, helping to distinguish friendly forces from potential threats. Reportedly, the solution works with radar systems to identify detected objects, including civil aircraft, and provides cryptographic solutions for identifying targets, helping to prevent friendly fire incidents.
Nicolas Bernardin, Country Director, Thales, Thailand, stated: “Thales has a strong track record in naval modernisation in Thailand and through this contract, we aim to bring new life into the sensor suites of the HTMS Pattani, HTMS Narathiwat and the HTMS Chang – three of the RTN’s formidable warships. Our IFF solutions ensure security, interoperability and discretion, making them the preferred choice of navies worldwide, and we are proud to partner Navantia in this project to ensure Thailand’s maritime superiority.”
Commenting on the deal, Jose Ignacio Navas, Commercial Director for Asia, Navantia, said that the partnership with Thales “reaffirms Navantia’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art solutions and supporting the strategic needs of the RTN underscoring the excellence in these projects.”