The Royal Thai Navy is moving ahead with its frigate procurement project after the permanent secretary for defence approved the selection result, stressing that the project must deliver benefits to Thailand beyond simply acquiring a new warship.
Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiyapan, a navy spokesman, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed off on the selection summary submitted by the Defence Ministry and navy on Sept 4. The permanent secretary for defence approved the result on Monday, marking a major step forward in the project.
The frigate programme is intended to boost the navy’s operational capabilities and its ability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests over the long term.
The navy said the selection process took into account operational capabilities, mission requirements, value over the vessel’s lifetime and the broader benefits to Thailand, including technology transfers, personnel development, knowledge creation and opportunities to lift the domestic defence industry.
The project must ensure taxpayers’ money generates lasting benefits by helping develop personnel, domestic industries and the country’s capacity for greater self-reliance, the navy said.
It stressed that despite approval of the selection result, the process remains within the statutory period for appeals by participating bidders. This is to protect bidders’ rights and so that the procurement is conducted fairly and transparently.
The navy will hold a press conference on Sept 18, after the appeal period expires, to officially announce the winning bidder and explain the selection criteria, reasons for the decision, key elements of the winning proposal and expected benefits for the navy and the country.
“The frigate is being built with taxpayers’ money. Our goal is not simply to obtain the best ship for the navy. This investment must also generate benefits for the country,” Rear Adm Parach said. “The navy gets a ship, the country must gain capabilities, Thai people must gain knowledge, and Thai industries must have opportunities to grow alongside it.”