Hanwha Ocean chosen for Thai Navy frigate
South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has been selected as the preferred bidder to build a next-generation frigate for the Royal Thai Navy, moving toward a final
Hanwha Ocean has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the Royal Thai Navy's next-generation frigate program. The selection, announced by the South Korean shipbuilder, is a procedural step leading to detailed negotiations on technical specifications and contract terms.
According to a press release from Hanwha Ocean, the company will now conduct detailed negotiations with the Royal Thai Navy. The final contract terms will be determined by the outcome of those talks. The Royal Thai Navy previously proposed a budget of THB 16.73 billion, approximately KRW 683.3 billion, for the construction of one frigate and integrated logistics support.
Selection and Competition
Hanwha Ocean competed against defense companies from Spain, Singapore, Turkey, and other nations. The company credits its selection to its prior experience successfully delivering the frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej to Thailand in 2018, along with its accumulated naval shipbuilding expertise. Active support from South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and the Republic of Korea Navy also contributed.
Trust built through sustained defense exchanges between the two countries served as a foundation. These exchanges included bilateral talks between the navies, a port call in Thailand by the ROK Navy's Cruise Training Task Group, and the combined exercise Cobra Gold.
The OCEAN-40F Frigate Configuration
The frigate offered is based on Hanwha Ocean's OCEAN-40F design. For this program, the Korean shipbuilder has partnered with leading European suppliers. At the Defense & Security 2025 exhibition in Bangkok, Hanwha Ocean signed memorandums of understanding with France's Naval Group to serve as combat management system and sensors integrator, and with MBDA for weapons integration.
This partnership delivers a strike capability centered on MBDA's Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles. The company also signed an MoU with Cohort Group for collaboration on sonar systems, torpedo launcher systems, surveillance, targeting, fire-control systems, and communications management.
Sensors and Armament
Based on a scale model and newly released images, the future frigate's sensor suite and armament are taking shape. The vessel's air defence is provided by a 16-cell vertical launch system for MBDA's VL MICA NG surface-to-air missiles, supplemented by two SIMBAD RC launchers for close-range defense.
The reported sensor and weapon configuration includes:
| System | Type/Model | Purpose/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radar | TRS-4D | - |
| Electro-optical system | SeaEagle FCRO | - |
| Electro-optical director | SeaEagle FCEO-D | - |
| Electronic Support Measures | ES-3601 R-ESM | - |
| Main Gun | 76mm | - |
| Close-in Weapon System | DS-30 Mk2 30mm RWS (x2) | For surface and asymmetric threats |
| Decoy Launcher | SYLENA (x4) | By Lacroix |
| Anti-ship Missile | Exocet MM40 Block 3c | By MBDA |
One illustration shows a CAMCOPTER S100 VTOL UAV and an uncrewed surface vessel alongside the frigate, though it is unclear if these systems are part of the deal. Based on the previously signed MoU, the combat management system is assumed to be Naval Group's SETIS.
Hanwha Ocean stated it aims to secure optimal contract terms that maximize its naval shipbuilding competitiveness and program efficiency through the negotiation process. The company plans to strengthen the foundation for long-term naval defense cooperation with Thailand while expanding business opportunities in the global surface combatant market.
