Thailand to upgrade aircraft carrier with Thales IPMS
Thales and Universal Communication Systems Co. Ltd. (UCS) have signed a contract to upgrade the Royal Thai Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet, with a modern Integrated Platform Management System.
The agreement was announced at the opening of the Defense & Security 2025 exhibition, marking a new phase in a cooperation between Thales and the Royal Thai Navy that extends back more than five decades.
According to the companies, the Integrated Platform Management System, or IPMS, will serve as the ship’s primary operational control framework. It is designed to centralize the management of propulsion, electrical systems, auxiliary machinery and onboard damage control functions. By providing real-time situational data and automated decision support, the IPMS aims to improve the ship’s ability to adjust to changing operational conditions while reducing crew workload.
The HTMS Chakri Naruebet entered service 28 years ago and remains the only aircraft carrier in Southeast Asia. The vessel will be modernized with a system that links its mechanical infrastructure with combat and navigation equipment, onboard simulators and crew training interfaces. Thales said the IPMS will be “adapted to the unique requirements and significant size of the vessel,” ensuring that the new capabilities integrate seamlessly with the carrier’s current systems.
In a statement, Thales said the upgrade reflects the need for naval forces to adapt to evolving maritime challenges. The company highlighted the increasing variety of threats in littoral and open-sea environments, where rapid operational decision-making and high platform readiness are critical. The introduction of centralized management and automation is intended to allow the Royal Thai Navy to respond more efficiently to emergencies, equipment failures or damage scenarios during naval operations.
The collaboration involves an international Thales engineering team working alongside UCS, which will contribute local expertise, operational familiarity and in-country sustainment capabilities. The companies said this approach will support long-term maintainability and allow the Royal Thai Navy to further develop domestic technical competencies.
Thales noted that more than 80 percent of the Royal Thai Navy’s fleet is equipped with Thales systems, with technologies spanning radar surveillance, sonar, mine countermeasures and fire control equipment, as well as command-and-control networks. This new contract marks the first time an Integrated Platform Management System of this kind will be installed on a Royal Thai Navy vessel.
The upgrade of HTMS Chakri Naruebet comes at a time when regional navies are reassessing fleet modernization and sustainment priorities. The ship has historically served as a symbol of Thailand’s maritime presence and capabilities, though its operational use has varied depending on aircraft availability and mission requirements. Enhancing the carrier’s internal management systems may increase its utility in logistics support, maritime security patrols, humanitarian operations and joint exercises.
