Thailand receives two indigenous M36 Mk. II 36-meter patrol boats

 

New M36 patrol boats of the Royal Thai Navy, Tor 114 and Tor 115. Photo c/o AAG Thailand Defense Page.



The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received two new coastal patrol boats built by local company Marsun Shipyard Public Company Ltd. during ceremonies held on 29 March 2021 at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi province.

The boats, with hull number Tor 114 and Tor 115, are based on Marsun's M36 Mk. II coastal patrol craft design. The patrol crafts had their keel laying ceremony on 08 June 2018, and were launched on 31 July 2020.

The new patrol crafts would be used for maritime surveillance, counter terrorism at sea and port, and maritime and fisheries protection.

The RTN already operates 3 other similar boats, Tor 111 to Tor 113, but these are based on the original M36 design.

The M36 Mk. II  has a MSI Defence Seahawk DS30 30mm cannon on remote weapon station as primary weapon, and two 0.50cal. heavy machine guns, compared to the manually-operated Denel GI-2 20mm cannon on the original M36 design.

The boats also have space for 13 special operators from the RTN's Naval Special Warfare Command.

The boats are 36 meters long, has a beam of 7.60 meters, and are powered by 3 Cummins diesel engines, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of more than 27 knots and a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

The aluminium-hulled boats has a crew of 28 officers and sailors.

The RTN claims that the procurement of locally-made patrol boats has allowed savings on cost compared to purchasing imported models, while also promoting the budding local shipbuilding industry.




[1] AAG_Th Thai Defense Page
[2] Marsun Shipyard

Thailand receives two indigenous M36 Mk. II 36-meter patrol boats Thailand receives two indigenous M36 Mk. II 36-meter patrol boats Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on April 03, 2021 Rating: 5

No comments