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HTMS Sukhothai (FS-442)

1987 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History of HTMS Sukhothai (FS-442)

The modern Royal Thai Navy operates two Rattanakosin class guided missile frigates in HTMS Rattanakosin (FS-441) and HTMS Sukhothai (FS-442). Both were built to the "PFMM Mk 16" standard by Tacoma Shipbuilding, USA and equipped with American and European systems and weapons.

The pair was built from 1984 to 1986 and commissioned in 1986. Both ships are currently (2018) in service.

Note: This article covers different grades of HTMS Sukhothai (FS-442).

HTMS Sukhothai has a displacement of 960 tons, an overall length (from bow to stern) of 76.8 meters, a beam (width) of 9.6 meters and a draft (height) of up to 4.5 meters. The propulsion scheme consists of 2 German MTU 20V1163 TB83 marine diesel turbines with a total power of 16,000 hp driving 2 shafts located under the stern section.

The warship can travel at speeds of up to 24 knots when diving and 18 knots when cruising. There were 87 crew members on board, including officers and seamen.

The warship is equipped with the usual systems and sensors that allow it to adopt a "multitasking" mindset. This includes surface search and air search radars, as well as a full suite of fire control radars. A sonar system is mounted on the bow to detect invisible enemy elements underwater.

The shape of the warship includes a flat superstructure extending from the foredeck to the aft deck with a panel fairing for stealth properties. The bow is slightly upturned, and the bow and stern are short.

The bridge is located at the very front of the superstructure and offers impressive views of the forecastle. The main mast is of closed pyramid design, integrated in the bridge section, clearly carrying the fire control radome system WM 25/41. Mid-stern is a flat tapered pipe structure that adds another stealthy quality to the boat. The second mast, which is much shorter than the fore mast, is of closed construction and houses the DA05 air/ground search radar antenna.

This is placed in the rear body area.

The warship is classified as a frigate and cannot carry helicopter launch and recovery capabilities (in the form of helidecks and hangars) due to its compact size. Its classification as "missile" also means armored systems based on missile-guided weapons.

Towards the bow are two movable turrets (in "A" and "B" positions). The forward-most battery was armed with a 76mm (3") OTO Breda (Italy) deck gun, while the second battery was equipped with a twin-gun 40mm/70-car weapon system.

For extreme close support, the battleship relies on 2 x 20mm autocannons Oerklikon (Switzerland) long-range airspace is launched by 8 x "Albatross" surface-to-air missiles from a single launcher located on the right rear side of the stern deck. Weapons are rounded up by 2 x "Harpoon". (US) Anti-ship missile launcher with four-barrel launcher (located aft of the hull superstructure) plus 2 triple-barreled torpedo launchers.