Navy Clarifies 100% Domestic Shipbuilding Is Long-Term Goal

The Royal Thai Navy spokesperson has clarified that the phrase "100% domestic shipbuilding" refers to a long-term strategic objective and does not apply to the frigate currently being procured.

On September 19, Navy spokesman Paracha Ratanachiyphan explained that increasing the proportion of high-performance combat ships built domestically cannot happen overnight but requires systematic and continuous development of shipyard capacity, personnel, knowledge, technology, and supply chains.

Under the Navy's terms of reference for the high-performance frigate procurement, the first ship must have at least 20% of its total hull structure built in Thailand, with a requirement to increase to 30% if a second ship is acquired. This 20% threshold is only a minimum; bidders may propose higher domestic content provided it is feasible and does not compromise standards, quality, delivery timelines, or combat readiness. Higher domestic content would accelerate the Navy's self-reliance goals and benefit the nation through technology transfer, workforce development, employment, and advancement of the domestic shipbuilding industry.

However, expanding domestic shipbuilding must proceed alongside development of Thai shipyard capabilities in infrastructure, tools, personnel, production standards, and quality control to genuinely support high-performance naval construction—not merely as a number on paper.

The phrase "100% domestic shipbuilding" therefore represents a long-term strategic goal that Thailand must collectively work toward, not a requirement for the current frigate procurement. The Navy emphasized that the project's aim is not just to acquire ships but to use every procurement opportunity to build knowledge, technology, and shipbuilding capacity systematically and sustainably. "The Navy gains a ship, and the nation gains capability," the service stated.