The second Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Royal Thai Navy (Kong Thap Ruea Thai ) was launched today, August 2nd.
The launching ceremony took place at the local Bangkok Dock Limited shipyard in presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The vessel, HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (pennant number 552) was built locally just like first ship of the class, HTMS Krabi (551) with technology transfer from the United Kingdom. The class is based on the British River-class OPV design in use by the Royal Navy.
Krabi was launched on 3 December 2011 and commissioned with the Royal Thai Navy fleet on 26 August 2013. The class is 91 metres in length with a displacement of about 2,000 tons. It is fitted with a Leonardo 76mm main gun and two MSI Defence 30mm remote weapon stations.
