The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) decided to retire its missile-capable patrol boats by 2026. During a presentation on 17 January, the chief of the RTN's submarine squadron stated that the Ratcharit and Prabparapak class vessels were no longer sufficient considering present asymmetric security challenges. RTN’s Ratcharit and Prabparapak class vessels have been in service for more than 40 years.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)