HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan - Second Krabi-Class OPV was Lauched

04 Agustus 2019

HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan 552 (photo : RTN)

2nd Krabi-Class OPV Launched For Royal Thai Navy

The second Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Royal Thai Navy (Kong Thap Ruea Thai) was launched on Friday.

The launching ceremony took place at the local Bangkok Dock Limited shipyard in presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The vessel, HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (pennant number 552) was built locally just like first ship of the class, HTMS Krabi (551) with technology transfer from the United Kingdom. The class is based on the British River-class OPV design in use by the Royal Navy.

Krabi was launched on 3 December 2011 and commissioned with the Royal Thai Navy fleet on 26 August 2013. The class is 91 meters in length with a displacement of about 2,000 tons. It is fitted with a Leonardo 76mm main gun and two MSI Defence 30mm remote weapon stations.

Pictures from Prachuap Khiri Khan launching ceremony show that the second ship in the class is fitted with 4x RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (in place of a satellite dish in the same location aboard Krabi).

(NavalNews)