Thai To Equip Its Second Patrol Vessel With Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, March 1 (Bernama) -- The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) will build its second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) equipped with "Harpoon" anti-ship missiles costing US$154.46 million (5.5 billion baht, US$1 = 35.60 baht). RTN's deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Jumpol Lumpiganon was quoted by the local media on Monday as saying the second OPV would be developed from the design of the first OPV, HTMS Krabi by BAE Systems Ship Co. He said the construction of the second OPV would be completed in three years with the RTN signing a contract to buy the vessel's design and materials from Bangkok Dock Co, a state enterprise under the Defence Ministry. Jumpol said the Mahidol Naval Dockyard of the Naval Dockyard Department would build the second OPV, while the Naval Ordnance Department would be responsible for its weapon system. The second OPV for RTN, he said, would cost more than the HTMS Krabi, which cost 2.8 billion THB, because in addition to the main and secondary cannon, the vessel would be armed with a US-made "Harpoon" anti ship missile. HTMS Krabi was delivered to the RTN three years ago. --BERNAMA