Turkish shipbuilders ASFAT and TAIS Shipyards are included in the shortlisted competitors for Thailand’s frigate acquisition programme covering one frigate.
Thailand-based news agency The Nation reported that six firms have been shortlisted after the initial screening for Thailand’s future frigate. Five companies have been dropped, with two failing to provide a proposal before the deadline and the remaining withdrawing. The six firms in the $530 million bid are listed as:
-ASFAT (Türkiye)
-TAIS Shipyards (Türkiye)
-ST Engineering (Singapore)
-Navantia (Spain)
-Hanwha Ocean (ROK)
-Hyundai Heavy Industries (ROK)
The remaining proposals will be reviewed for a month by the Royal Thai Navy Authorities.
It is likely that ASFAT will be pitching a MİLGEM-derived design while TAIS might pitch the same way as ASFAT or offer from its BORA line of frigates that range between 105 m and 140 m in length.
Royal Thai Navy is currently operating three frigates of modern standard, one Bhumibol Adulyadej-class from ROK (Second ship to be commissioned) and two Naresuan-class from China.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
