11,000-ton aircraft carrier to get high-tech battle power with upgrade

The Royal Thai Navy’s 11,000-ton aircraft carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet, commissioned in 1997 and Southeast Asia’s first and only aircraft carrier, is set to receive a significant upgrade with the installation of an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). This system, supplied through an agreement between Thales and Universal Communication Systems Co. Ltd. (UCS), will enhance the carrier’s operational effectiveness, safety, and crew awareness by automating processes, enabling real-time monitoring, and providing an integrated interface with combat, navigation, and training systems. The modular and scalable IPMS will allow the Navy to better control the ship’s mechanical, electrical, and damage control systems, modernizing the infrastructure of the 28-year-old vessel. The upgrade also includes a comprehensive transfer of technological expertise from Thales to UCS, designated as a Key Industrial Partner in Thailand, enabling effective in-country maintenance and long-term support. This initiative is expected to strengthen Thailand’s defense industrial base and improve