Hanwha Ocean's record spans Thai and overseas naval projects
The reported THB16.73 billion procurement covers one frigate, systems, equipment, spare parts and comprehensive support for the Royal Thai Navy.
- Hanwha Ocean has been selected for a new Royal Thai Navy project to build a frigate, valued at THB16.73 billion.
- The company has a prior record with Thailand, having previously built the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej frigate, which entered service in 2019.
- Its extensive portfolio includes building a wide range of vessels for the Republic of Korea Navy, such as destroyers, frigates, and submarines.
- The shipbuilder's other international projects include logistics vessels for the UK's Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a combat support ship for Norway, and submarines for Indonesia.
The wide-ranging portfolio of South Korean defence heavyweight Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. has come into focus following reports confirming that the company has been selected for a Royal Thai Navy procurement project covering one frigate, together with systems, equipment, spare parts and comprehensive support.
The project is valued at THB16.73 billion on a Firm & Fixed Price basis, with delivery at Sattahip Naval Base.
A review of the shipyard’s record shows advanced capabilities ranging from vessels for the offshore petroleum industry to a wide range of warships and world-class, high-performance submarines.
Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. was founded in October 1973.
Formerly known as DSME, it was relaunched under Hanwha Group in 2023.
It is a leader in the construction of large commercial vessels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, very large crude carriers (VLCCs), floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units and floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities.
In military shipbuilding, the company has extensive experience building vessels for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) and other countries.
One of Hanwha Ocean’s most notable projects for the Royal Thai Navy was the construction of HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG-471), a high-performance DW 3000F frigate with a displacement of 3,700 tonnes.
The contract was signed in 2013, and the vessel was delivered and officially entered service in 2019.
Other notable international projects include:
- Republic of Korea Navy: Hanwha Ocean built the Kwanggaeto the Great-class (KDX-I) and Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class (KDX-II) air-defence destroyers; co-produced Aegis-equipped Sejong the Great-class (KDX-III) destroyers displacing more than 10,000 tonnes; built four Daegu-class stealth frigates (FFX Batch-II); and was the lead designer and builder of the 3,750-tonne Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class (KSS-III) missile-equipped submarines.
- Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA): Built four 37,000-tonne Tide-class logistics support and at-sea refuelling vessels, with deliveries beginning in 2017.
- Royal Norwegian Navy: Built the 27,000-tonne multipurpose combat support vessel HNoMS Maud, capable of operating in cold waters to NATO standards.
- Indonesian Navy: Built three Nagapasa-class (DSME 1400) diesel-electric attack submarines, with technology transfer.
- Bangladesh Navy: Built the guided-missile frigate BNS Bangabandhu.
The reported selection therefore reaffirms the Royal Thai Navy’s trust in a leading South Korean shipyard to help further strengthen Thailand’s naval power.
