Thales and Universal Communication Systems Co. Ltd. (UCS) have signed a contract to supply an integrated platform management system (IPMS) for the light aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
The IPMS serves as the ship’s operating system, providing an integrated interface with combat and navigation systems, training simulators, and other hardware.
Thanks to real-time monitoring, automation, and intuitive interfaces, the IPMS will modernize the infrastructure of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, which has been in service for 28 years, enabling the RTN to control the ship’s mechanical, electrical, and damage control systems.
The modular and scalable solution will be adapted to the specific requirements and significant size of the ship, which is the flagship of the RTN and, so far, the first and only aircraft carrier in Southeast Asia.
As part of the agreement, Thales brings together an international team of experts to jointly provide the IPMS software and hardware, while UCS contributes its indispensable knowledge of the end user, with both parties committed to developing national-level maintenance capabilities.
Features and use of HMTS Chakri Naruebet
The HTMS Chakri Naruebet, built in Spain by Navantia, entered service with the RTN in 1997.
The ship, with a displacement of 11,500 tons, about 183 meters long and 27.5 meters wide, derived from the Principe de Asturias of the Armada, served for a short time as a light aircraft carrier with the ex-Spanish AV-8Cs until they were retired due to age limits.
Subsequently, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet operated as a command ship and as a helicopter carrier for amphibious assaults; due to cost reasons, for a long time the ship was used as a sort of floating base or at most as a sort of yacht for the transportation of the royal family and as a multi-role ship for support in case of calamities.
In recent years, with the rising friction situation in Southeast Asia, with the ongoing aeronaval strengthening of all the countries in that area, the RTN identified the HTMS Chakri Naruebet as an important resource to revitalize with helicopters and drones, equipping it with a modern combat management system, gradually bringing it back online.
