The behind-the-scenes story of the Thai Navy's aircraft carrier, the Thai small aircraft carrier Chakri Nalubet, which became the international laughingstock.
The aircraft carrier Chakri Nalubet, with a full load displacement of 11,486 tons, a total length of 182.65 meters, a total width of 30.5 meters, and a draft of 6.12 meters.
It was the mid-80s... Based on an active industrialization policy, Thailand has achieved tremendous economic growth through abundant resources and labor, tourism, and so on.
Well-funded Thailand is considering buying multi-purpose ships capable of supporting transport and landing in order to cultivate a weak naval force that has been stuck in the coastal navy since before...
Thailand, which did not have aircraft carriers in China, Japan, and South Korea at the time, could not resist the sweet temptation of aircraft carriers, signed an aircraft carrier contract in March 1992 for about 336 million US dollars higher than the LDP.
Although it was an aircraft carrier that was completely unexpected, the Chakri Nalubet, which was named "The Glory of the Chakri Dynasty" from the time of its construction, and the Chakri Nalubet also set up an additional cabin for the king in the event of an emergency, which shows the high expectations of the Thai Navy for the chakri Nalubet aircraft carrier.
Launched in January 1996 to complete various maritime tests, the Chakri Nalubet was officially handed over to the Thai Navy in March 1997, and Thailand became the 14th aircraft carrier owner.
However, the Chakri Nalubet aircraft carrier began to have many problems as it entered service.
1. Due to its small size, it is difficult to use carrier-based aircraft.
Although it is said that vertical take-off and landing aircraft are used, because the hull is too small, it is also difficult to use about 10 carrier-based aircraft, so it is difficult for aircraft carriers to perform tasks.
2. There are no frigates that fight together.
If it is a peacetime or disaster relief mission, it should not be too much of a problem, but for aircraft carriers that need to prepare for wartime, this is very fatal.
3. No various sensors or defensive armament.
After delivery to the Navy, the plan was installed and omitted various sensors or defensive armaments, but only the hull was delivered, but after the financial crisis broke out after service, the arming plan was cancelled or postponed.
4. Become a scrap iron Harrier fighter
The free Harrier is the first production-ready older model in more than 30 years, and will be retired in 2006 due to the inability to buy parts.
As various problems were exposed, the Chakri Nalubet was reduced to an aircraft carrier for display.
Enchanted by the temptation of aircraft carriers, the Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Nalubet, which was introduced by ignoring many problems, has become an international laughing stock for its display of aircraft carriers, royal yachts, and ferries.
At the same time, it has also become a representative example of other countries in the introduction of weapons as a negative teaching material.