Thai Parliamentary Military Committee Visits Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in South Korea

09 Desember 2024

Thai Parliamentary members at Hanwha facilities (photos: Hanwha Ocean)

On December 3, 2024, a delegation from the Thai Parliamentary Military Affairs Committee led by Thai Member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, visited the Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in the Republic of Korea.

To observe the progress of the Republic of Korea's shipbuilding capabilities, the visit by Hanwha Ocean Shipyard comes as the company continues to showcase its track record of exporting frigates to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

The Thai Military Commission has expressed great interest in Hanwha Ocean's comprehensive shipbuilding system, which extends from ship design to autonomous robotic systems for application in various construction technologies.

The Thai Military Commission panel particularly praised Hanwha Ocean's proven capabilities, its confidence in delivering on schedule in global naval projects, and its commitment to technology transfer in international operations.

During a visit to Hanwha Ocean Shipyard, representatives of the Thai Military Commission highlighted the success of the high-performance frigate project, HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, one of Hanwha Ocean's export successes in the Republic of Korea.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces Commission reiterated their desire for strong cooperation on the upcoming HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate project, which is expected to be significant in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Royal Thai Navy.

Furthermore, the Thai Military Commission expressed its positive view on the possible contribution of Hanwha Ocean's advanced production processes and high-efficiency management systems to the modernization of Thailand's domestic shipbuilding industry.

In response, Hanwha Ocean, Republic of Korea, has proposed a strategy to enhance Thailand's shipbuilding capabilities through cooperation with domestic Thai shipyards.

During a visit to Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, Republic of Korea, the Thai Military Commission visited Hanwha Ocean's Technical Training Center where they met with Thai trainees who are currently receiving specialized education.

The Thai Military Commission acknowledged the excellence of the training program provided by Hanwha Ocean, Republic of Korea, emphasizing the value of the company's efforts to train and create a skilled workforce.

“Through this visit by high-ranking officials from the Thai House of Representatives, we have had the opportunity to share Hanwha Ocean’s commitment and vision as a reliable partner,” said Steve SK Jeong, Head of Hanwha Ocean’s International Naval Ship Business.

Amidst Thailand’s rapidly evolving maritime security landscape, with the subsequent award of the new frigate contract, we are focused not only on delivering world-class warships but also on expanding Thailand’s domestic industrial capabilities, contributing to Thailand’s economic development.”

Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, DSME, Republic of Korea) was contracted in 2013 to deliver the 3,600-ton DW3000H frigate to Thailand and successfully completed the project in 2018.

The company stated that the visit by the Thai Military Commission further strengthened the mutual trust and cooperation between Hanwha Ocean, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, paving the way for an even stronger partnership in the future.

Analysis

Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Jirapol Wongwit told Thai media in early December 2024 that the Royal Thai Navy was looking to secure funding from the Royal Thai Government to procure four new high-performance frigates, which were identified in the Royal Thai Navy White Paper 2023 released in October 2023, but was delayed from its request in fiscal year 2025.

It is divided into two phases for two new frigates in fiscal year 2026 and another two in fiscal year 2027, which uses a cross-year budget commitment for two frigates to be built in Thailand through technology transfer at a cost of approximately 35,000,000,000 baht ($1,026,588,850) or approximately 17,500,000,000 ($513,294,425) per frigate, for a total of four frigates at a cost of approximately 80,400,000,000 baht ($2,357,253,228).

Although no formal Request for Information (RFI) or Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by the Royal Thai Navy to initiate the design selection process, other possible contenders, in addition to the Republic of Korea's Hanwha Ocean's proposal for the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigates, include: Germany's thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) together with Thailand's Marsun Public Company Limited, which proposed the MEKO A-100 frigate model, the UK's Babcock International, which proposed the Arrowhead 140 frigate model, and the Netherlands' Damen, which proposed the SIGMA frigate model, are all looking for partners in Thailand.

(AAG)

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