Royal
Thai Navy to modernize HTMS Naruesuan frigate to Datalink with Air Force
Gripens
The
Thai cabinet has approved a 3.29 Billion Baht budget for the Royal Thai
Navy to modernize its frigate HTMS Naruesuan´s computer systems
and enable it to link up with RTAF Gripens, according to the Bangkok
Post.
HTMS Naresuan (FFG
421)
(Picture: Kazec)
HTMS
Naresuan (FFG 421) is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053
frigate. Commissioned in 1995, it displaces roughly 3,000 tons with
a length of 120 meters. While the design is Chinese, most of the electronics
as well as weapon systems are from western origin.
Royal Thai
Air Force Gripen
(Picture: Stefan Kalm - Copyright Saab AB')
The electronic
communication systems on the twin frigates “Naresuan -Taksin’
will allow communication between the frigates and Thailand’s JAS-39
Gripens. Early this year, the navy had also installed a similar electronic
communication system on Royal Narubes vessel to connect with the Gripen’s
advanced early warning system, according to ScandAsia.com.