Naresuan-class frigate
The Naresuan-class frigate (Thai: นเรศวร) is a enlarged modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate with Western weaponry, cooperatively designed by the Royal Thai Navy and China but built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. The ships came at 2 billion baht each, less than the 8 billion baht claimed price tag for Western-built frigates.
|  HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Shanghai | 
| Operators |  Royal Thai Navy | 
| Subclasses | Type 053 frigate | 
| Built | 1991–1995 | 
| In commission | 1994–present | 
| Completed | 2 | 
| Active | 2 | 
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Frigate | 
| Displacement | 2,985 tons full load | 
| Length | 120.5 m | 
| Beam | 13.7 m | 
| Draught | 6 m | 
| Propulsion | 
 | 
| Speed | 32 knots (59 km/h) max | 
| Range | 4000 nmi(7408 km) at 18 kn | 
| Complement | 150 | 
| Sensors and processing systems | |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | |
| Armament | 
 | 
| Aircraft carried | 1 x Super Lynx 300 | 
Ships in the class
    
| Name | Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Status | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTMS Naresuan | 421 | China State Shipbuilding Corporation | July 1993 | 15 December 1994 | Active | |
| HTMS Taksin | 422 | China State Shipbuilding Corporation | 1994 | 28 September 1995 | Active | 
Upgrade
    
On 3 June 2011, Saab announced that it was awarded a contract for the upgrading of the two Naresuan-class frigates. The scope of the upgrade will include Saab's 9LV MK4 combat management system, Sea Giraffe AMB, CEROS 200 fire control radar, EOS 500 electro-optics system and data link systems for communications with the newly acquired Royal Thai Air Force Erieye surveillance aircraft.[1]
References
    
- "Saab receives order from Thailand regarding the upgrading of combat management system and fire control systems". Saab. 3 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011.