Defense & Security 2025: Thales to supply systems for Thai navy upgrades

The Royal Thai Navy's aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet , seen here at Sattahip naval base in 2013. (US Navy)

Thales has teamed with Thai firm Universal Communication Systems (UCS) and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to support system upgrades on several Royal Thai Navy (RTN) vessels. The partnerships were announced at the Defense & Security 2025 show, held from 10 to 13 November in Bangkok.

Thales' partnership with UCS is centred on equipping the RTN's aircraft carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet , with a new integrated platform management system (IPMS).

Under its alliance with Navantia, Thales will fit its identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems onto the RTN's two Pattani-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and the service's Type 071E amphibious assault ship. Under contracts awarded in 2025 Navantia is upgrading all three vessels.

A Thales official told Janes on 12 November that its contract with UCS calls for the IPMS to be operational on Chakri Naruebet within 15 months. The new IPMS will replace a similar system developed by Navantia, the aircraft carrier's constructor, which was integrated onto the vessel nearly 30 years ago. Chakri Naruebet was commissioned by the RTN in 1997.

The Thales official said that work on the project will be undertaken in partnership with UCS, with Thales expected to support technology transfers to the Thai firm. Some development work on the programme will also take place in Thailand. UCS will also maintain and support the IPMS in service with the RTN.

Thales said the new IPMS will serve as Chakri Naruebet's