11 Januari 2023
HTMS Similan-871 has 171.4 meters in length and a displacement of 23,369 tons (full load) (photos : RTN)
Royal Thai Navy's CVH-911 HTMS Chakri Naruebet helicopter carrier; FFG-422 HTMS Taksin, the Naresuan-class missile frigate; FF-457 HTMS Kraburi, the Chao Phraya class frigate; and AOR-871 HTMS Similan replenishment ship have involved 2nd Frigate Squadron (FS2), Royal Thai Fleet (RTF) exercise during 6-7 December 2022 at Gulf of Thailand.
During December 2022, which was December 4, 2022, HMS Chakri Naruebet found sailed in the Singapore Strait, and during December 6-7, 2022, they trained with the 2nd Frigate Fleet, EGAT 2, Royal Thai Navy Fleet, along with HTMS Similan.
Including the Royal Naresuan frigate series HTMS Taksin and a frigate of the HTMS Chao Phraya series HTMS Kraburi. Although the latest images can be seen that the flight deck of HTMS Chakri Naruebet. Currently in the cycle that needs to be repaired and painted a new deck. But can sail when ordered all the time.
HTMS Similan (871) is a replenishment oiler (AOR) of the Royal Thai Navy. She intended to support the aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet and its escorts. Similan was constructed in the People's Republic of China at the Hudong Shipyard through a 1993 contract with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship was commissioned in 1996. At the time, Similan was the largest ship in the Thai navy and the largest naval ship exported by China.
The design is a flush-decked development of the Chinese Type 905 AOR resembling the French Durance; the builder referred to the design as Type R22T. Similan was a sister ship or the precursor to the later Chinese Type 903.
Similan has two refueling stations on each side. Solid cargo is transferred by helicopter.
The ship was planned to be armed with Chinese weapons; four Type 76 twin 37 mm naval guns and the Type 341 radar were not fitted.
Similan deployed together with HTMS Pattani in 2010 and HTMS Narathiwat in 2011 to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia as part of Combined Task Force 151.