The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) marked a significant milestone on July 25, 2024, with a successful live-fire exercise of the RIM-162 ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) surface-to-air missile. The exercise, conducted in the Gulf of Thailand, featured the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej from the 1st Frigate Squadron and the Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Taksin from the 2nd Frigate Squadron. This event was a key component of the 2024 annual naval exercise, which concluded with this missile firing demonstration. During the exercise, both frigates demonstrated their capabilities by launching one ESSM missile each from their Mk 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS). The HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej successfully engaged a Naval Ordnance Department Banshee air target at a range of 7 nautical miles (nmi), while the HTMS Taksin hit a target at 8.5 nmi.
This achievement underscores the RTN’s growing proficiency in air defense operations, particularly in intercepting aerial threats at significant distances. The ESSM exercise was part of a broader training agenda that began on March 5, 2024, and included various phases, such as a sea-based Field Training Exercise (FTX) in May 2024. Notably, the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej also conducted its first training session for Mk46 light torpedo firing, in coordination with two Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters from the Royal Thai Naval Air Division (RTNAD). This integrated exercise highlighted the ship’s versatile capabilities in both Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW).
The HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, a high-performance frigate, was commissioned in 2019 and built by the DSME shipyard in the Republic of Korea (now Hanwha Ocean). The Naresuan-class frigates, including HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin, were constructed in China and commissioned in 1995. These vessels underwent a major capability upgrade in 2011, with Saab of Sweden as the prime contractor, enhancing their combat systems and weaponry. Each ship is equipped with eight Mk 41 VLS launchers, capable of housing up to 32 ESSM missiles in Mk25 Quad-Pack Canisters. The recent missile firing exercise follows the initial firing conducted by HTMS Naresuan during the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in 2015.
The RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. ESSM also has the ability to be “quad-packed” in the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, allowing up to four ESSMs to be carried in a single cell. The AIM-7 Sparrow was the simplest solution, as its radar guidance allowed it to be fired head-on at targets. The radar signal could be provided by mounting an aircraft radar on a trainable platform on a ship. The Evolved SeaSparrow (ESSM) emerged as a completely new weapon, sharing only the name with the original. Compared to the Sea Sparrow, ESSM has a larger, more powerful rocket motor — developed by Orbital ATK in cooperation with Nammo Raufoss — for increased range and agility, as well as upgraded aerodynamics using strakes and skid-to-turn.
