Thailand selects Navantia to upgrade Chinese-made LPD HTMS Chang
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| The HTMS Chang ( LPD-792) accompanied by HTMS Chakri Naruebet (911). Photo c/o Royal Thai Navy. |
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has selected the bid from Spain’s Navantia to enhance the combat systems of its sole Type 071ET landing platform dock, the HTMS Chang (LPD-792).
This was confirmed by the RTN through a document on procurement projects published on 21 February 2025, which also confirmed that this is just the initial phase of the project, with succeeding phases also expected to be awarded to a winning bidder in the near future.
As part of the project with a budget of THB909.5 million (US$27.1 million), the HTMS Chang is to be provided with a new Combat Management System (CMS), a new Fire Control System, and two secondary naval guns in remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS).
Navantia is expected to install its proprietary CATIZ Combat Management System, as well as its DORNA Fire Control System. These will be integrated to the ship’s existing sensor suite which already includes the Saab Sea Giraffe 1X 3D air/surface search surveillance radar and Elbit Systems Spectro XR Electro-Optic Cameras.
Also expected from Navantia will be the supply and installation of the SENTINEL 30 Naval RCWS manufactured by Spain’s Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E), armed with the Bushmaster Mk44 30mm autocannon, which are already found on several of the RTN’s patrol boats.
It has not been confirmed how much was Spain’s winning tender worth, and when the project will be formally contracted to Navantia.
The HTMS Chang (LPD-792) is the third ship in the Royal Thai Navy to bear its name, and was built using an Thai-specific export version of the Chinese Type 071 landing platform dock design.
The ship was built by Shanghai Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and delivered to the RTN in 2023. It is now considered the largest amphibious assault ship in Thai service.
[1] Royal Thai Navy
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
March 03, 2025
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