HTMS Chao Phraya

HTMS Chao Phraya (FFG-455) (Thai: เรือหลวงเจ้าพระยา) is the lead ship of her class of frigates for the Royal Thai Navy, a variant of the Chinese-built Type 053H2 frigate.

HTMS Chao Phraya in Port Klang, 2013
History
Thailand
NameHTMS Chao Phraya
NamesakeChao Phraya River
Ordered18 July 1988
BuilderHudong Shipyard, Shanghai
Laid downApril 1989
Launched24 June 1990
Commissioned5 April 1991
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeChao Phraya-class frigate
Displacement
Length103.2 m (338 ft 7 in)
Beam11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draught3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h) max
Range3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement168
Sensors and
processing systems
  • As built
  • Type 354 Eye Shield air/surface radar
  • Type 352C Square Tie surface search radar
  • Type 343 Sun Visor fire control radar (for 100mm)
  • Type 341 Rice Lamp fire control radar (for 37mm)
  • Racal-Decca 1290 A/D ARPA Navigation radar
  • Anritsu RA 71CA Navigation radar
  • Type 651 IFF
  • STN Atlas mini COSYS combat management system
  • Type SJD-5A sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • ESM Type 923-1 intercept
  • ECM Type 981-3 deception jammer
  • Decoys 2 × Type 945 GPJ chaff launchers
Armament

Design and description

Chao Phraya has a length of 103.2 m (339 ft), a beam of 11.3 m (37 ft), a draught of 3.1 m (10 ft) and displacement of 1,676 long tons (1,703 t) standard and 1,924 long tons (1,955 t) at full load. The ship has two shafts and powered with four MTU 20V1163 TB83 diesel engines with 29,440 shp (21,950 kW). The ship has a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) while cruising at 18 knots (33 km/h) and top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h). Chao Phraya has a complement of 168 personnel, including 22 officers.[1]

As a Type 053HT frigate, the ship are armed with two 100 mm/56 Type 79 twin-barreled guns and four 37 mm Type 76 twin-barreled guns. For anti-submarine warfare, the ship is equipped with two Type 86 anti-submarine rocket launchers and two BMB depth charge racks. For surface warfare, Chao Phraya is equipped with eight C-801 anti-ship missile launchers.[1]

In August 2020, Royal Thai Navy planned to modernizes Chao Phraya and Bangpakong to have similar capabilities to a modern offshore patrol vessel. The planned upgrade includes replacing the 100 mm guns with 76/62 automatic guns and all four 37 mm guns with a rapid-fire 30 mm autocannon, along with new combat management systems and surveillance systems.[2]

Construction and career

The four ships of the class was ordered on 18 July 1988. Chao Phraya was laid down in April 1989[3] at Hudong Shipyard, Shanghai. The ship was launched on 24 June 1990 and was commissioned on 5 April 1991.[1] Upon the ship completion and arrival on Thailand, the shipbuilding quality were deemed to be unsatisfactory and works was needed to improve the ship. The damage control abilities were also upgraded before she entered service.[4]

Upon entering service, Chao Phraya and her sisters were frequently used for training and rotated monthly to the Coast Guard.[4]

On 1 November 2008, Chao Phraya conducted a passing exercise with USS Chancellorsville and Decatur in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phuket.[5]

The ship took part in the search and rescue effort for the missing victims of 2018 Phuket boat capsizing.[6]

On 24–26 April 2019, Chao Phraya attended joint naval exercise with the People's Liberation Army Navy and other Southeast Asian navies in the waters off Qingdao.[7]

References
  1. Saunders 2004, p. 735.
  2. "Royal Thai Navy thinks to upgrade two Chao Phraya class frigates Type 053". navyrecognition.com. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  3. Gardiner & Chumbley 1995, p. 463.
  4. Saunders 2009, p. 803.
  5. "USS Chancellorsville Engages in Maritime Exchange with Thai Navy". Navy.mil. 5 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  6. "Death toll from Thai tourist boat sinking climbs to 41". trtworld.com. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  7. "China concludes joint naval exercise with SE Asian countries". chinadailyhk.com. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2022.

Printed sources
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Saunders, Cdre. Stephen (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710626233.
  • Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710628886.

Media related to 455 Chao Praya (ship, 1991) at Wikimedia Commons

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