HTMS Chakri Naruebet, Thai Aircraft Carrier

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet is Thailand's first and only aircraft carrier. HTMS Chakri Naruebet is based on the Spanish carrier Principe de Asturias and was built in Ferrol, Spain, by Spanish shipbuilders Izar (EN Bazan) between 1994-1996. It was delivered to Thailand in 1997. The ship is largely inactive due to a shortage of funds after the Asian financial crisis. However the ship has participated in training, and in disaster relief after the 2004 tsunami. The carrier's main role is Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and search and rescue. HTMS Chakri Naruebet is the smallest serving aircraft carrier in the world.

General characteristics
Displacement:	10,000 tons standard 11,485 tons loaded
Length:	182.6 m (599.1 ft)
Beam:	30.5 m (100.1 ft)
Draught:	6.2 m (19.76 ft)
Propulsion:	2 diesels, 11,200 bhp (8350 kW) 2 Bazan GE LM2500 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 44,250 hp (32,997 kW)
Speed:	26.4 knots (49 km/h)
Range:	Est. 10,000 nautical miles (20,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement:	675 (maximum); 62 officers 146 aircrew 4 Royal family 450 troops (normal)
Sensors and processing systems:	Raytheon AN/SPS-52C 3-D medium range air search radar, Kelvin Hughes navigation and helicopter control radar, Kelvin Hughes I-band navigation radar
Armament:	3 x Mistral SAM launchers, 2 x 12.7 mm MG
Aircraft carried:	174.6 m x 27.5 m flight deck with a 12° ski jump 6 AV-8S Harriers, 6 S-70B Seahawks

When typhoon Gay hit Thailand in 1989, the Royal Thai Navy, as the main unit responsible for search and rescue missions found that its ships and aircraft were unable to withstand the rough weather at sea. Moreover, the Royal Thai Navy needed a new, high-technology ship to modernize its fleet. To achieve this goal, Royal Thai Navy selected (EN Bazan - Ferrol), a Spanish company, to build a helicopter carrier.

The name "Chakri Naruebet" was given by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It means "the sovereign of the Chakri Dynasty". The first generation AV-8S Harrier group supplied with Chakri Naruebet is over thirty years old and spare parts are becoming very difficult to find so in recent years they have rarely been deployed. Main anti-aircraft missile systems were never installed and this ship is rarely put to sea. In its current state many military commentators consider it more a national prestige vessel rather than a serious V/STOL amphibious warfare capable carrier.