HTMS selects Thales to modernise its naval capabilities

HTMS KRABI

Thales has announced two significant contracts for the supply of a full spectrum of Above-water and Underwater solutions for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). Thales will modernise the Bang Rachan Class Minehunters and supply the combat, navigation and communication suite onboard the newly ordered Krabi Class Offshore Patrol Vessel.

Thales is the prime contractor for the modernisation of the Bang Rachan Class Minehunters.

Thales has been a partner to the Royal Thai armed forces since the late 90’s and has provided the Royal Thai Navy with numerous solutions from sensors to integrated combat systems for various vessels of the fleet. Building on the success of its collaboration with the RTN, Thales has been awarded the role of prime contractor for an extensive upgrade of two Bang Rachan Class minehunters built in the late 80’s (HTMS Bang Rachan and HTMS Nong Sarai). This marks Thales’s first success in the underwater systems and sonars market in Thailand.

As prime contractor, Thales will be responsible for the revised vessel design, repairs and modernisation, the procurement of equipment and the platform integration. The upgraded ship will be equipped with new solutions, including a machinery control system, navigation systems, upgraded communications capabilities, Sonar TSM 2022 MkIII with M-CUBE command and control (C2) and a multi-influence signature range to manage RTN ships’ signatures.

Thales will work hand in hand with the local industry to manage the works. The Group will also provide training and Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) for the RTN to enjoy the best operational use of the vessels in the coming years.

Thales’ solution extends the operational life of these ships by over 15 years.

Thales onboard the second Krabi Class Offshore Patrol Vessel

In 2009, Thales was chosen to supply the combat, navigation and communication suite for the HTMS Krabi. The ship was commissioned in 2013 and has already completed more than 1,000 days at sea.

In 2015, the RTN decided to launch a second vessel of the Krabi Class. The vessel, to be built by Bangkok Dock, will be equipped with a Thales integrated solution that includes the TACTICOS combat management system and an integrated bridge and navigation suite.

The sensors to be delivered are the VARIANT surveillance radar, STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire control radar and VIGILE Electronic Support Measures with SKWS chaff launcher. Furthermore, Thales will supply the Tactical Data Links Link RTN and LINK-Y Mk2 and all internal and external communication systems Thales will be responsible for all integration activities, including the 76 mm gun, 2x 30mm gun and HARPOON SSM.

The ship is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2018.

By working together with its naval key industrial partner, Thales will be able to provide the best level of local training and service to the RTN and support Thailand’s goal of strengthening high end local industrial capabilities.

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About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 62,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €14 billion in 2015. With over 22,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its unique international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.

About Thales in Thailand

Thales has been present in Thailand since the early 1990s, and today has numerous programmes and achievements to its name in both and civil and defence sectors. The Group is a long-term provider of defence systems for the Royal Thai Army and Navy and has delivered solutions to Thai customers in the areas of aerospace and transportation.

GLOBAL KOMITED SIGNS TEAMING AGREEMENT WITH FINMECCANICA HELICOPTER DIVISION AT DSA 2016

Kuala Lumpur, 20th April 2016: Global Komited Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Weststar
Defence Industries today signed a teaming agreement with Finmeccanica Helicopter
Division for the promotion, marketing and distribution of Finmeccanica’s AW159 naval
helicopters to the Malaysian government at Defence Services Asia Exhibition &
Conference 2016 (DSA 2016).
The agreement was signed between The Weststar Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Dr.
Syed Azman and Finmeccanica Helicopter Division’s Vice President Asia Pacific,
Andrew G. Symonds.
Witnessed by Malaysian Defence Minister, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein,
the partnership sets out to fulfill Royal Malaysian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
requirements, leveraging on Global Komited’s capabilities and reputation regionally as a
defense contracting and engineering company along with the AW159’s established
credentials as the best medium ASW helicopter in the world.
In addition, the agreement includes a plan for Global Komited to lead on the upgrade of
current Super Lynx 300 fleet in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Also present at the signing were British Defence Procurement Minister, Philip Dunne,
Malaysian Deputy Defence Minister, Dato' Wira Mohd Johari Baharum, Malaysian
Defence Secretary General, Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi, Malaysian Chief of
Defence Forces, General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Malaysian Chief
of Navy Admiral Dato’ Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin.
Embarking on the opportunity to increase its defence industry footprint, The Weststar
Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim said, “We are focusing
our expansion in this exciting and fast-growing segment. Propelled by rapid growth, the
aviation industry is revitalized with new generation helicopters that come equipped with
better and sophisticated technology.”
Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman added, “Our helicopter services arm, Weststar Aviation
Services has largely benefitted from operating a modern fleet of aircraft.
The depth of our helicopter fleet is made up of modern Finmeccanica AW139 and
AW189 helicopters.”

“Currently, we operate the largest fleet of Finmeccanica’s AW139 new generation
helicopters in South East Asia. Therefore, banking on our experience, this will ensure
MINDEF’s return on assets and continue our long-standing partnership with
Finmeccanica Helicopter Division,” emphasized Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman.
Further, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman stressed that by partnering with the right technology
partner, Weststar Defence will continue its value-driven capacity development and more
importantly, greater accountability for its clients.
In a nutshell, with more positive changes taking hold, Weststar Defence Industries is
creating a healthy domestic industrial base with local talent and expertise leading its
targeted development programs.
About Weststar Defence Industries
Weststar Defence Industries is a principal supplier of regional defence and security
products and services. Weststar Defence Industries designs, engineers, manufactures,
markets, provides industry and technology consultation for a wide array of products.
Setting the technology-driven industry in motion, Weststar Defence Industries is rapidly
meeting the challenges of evolving defence and security industries’ needs, particularly
the escalating targeted demand for technologically advanced, cost-effective products
and services. In a bid to expand its regional footprint, to date, Weststar Defence
Industries has been exporting its range of proven cross-functional light multi-role military
vehicles to regional armed forces namely Timor Leste and Brunei. Significantly, Weststar
Defence Industries’ products are currently deployed across many segments and
equipped in most major platforms in service or in development with the Malaysian Armed
Forces, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and several other key clients. Weststar
Defence Industries mission statement is unequivocal. To be the leader in offering world
class practices, superior products and services for the defence and security industries.