Thailand has an aircraft carrier with no aircraft
Jeremy Bender
February 20, 2015
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Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet2.jpg
Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
Almost immediately, Thailand ran into budget constraints. The Chakri Naruebet was put to port for the better part of each month and in 2006 its associated air wing was withdrawn. The Harriers are now over 30 years old.
Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
Even while operational, the carrier has been outclassed by the larger vessels of India and China, not to mention the US's super carrier fleet pictured below. It's now the smallest functioning aircraft carrier in the world.
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Thai Aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
The Chakri Naruebet was built to carry 9 Harrier aircraft and 14 helicopters, with a 605-person crew. Some of those planes are decades old, and the carrier reportedly doesn't have a functioning anti-aircraft defense system.
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THai Aircraft carrier
Still, despite its shortcomings, the Chakri Naruebet has proved useful in humanitarian missions. The Diplomat notes that the carrier was used after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as well as in rescue operations after flooding in Thailand in 2010 and 2011
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Thai aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet
chron.com
Jeremy Bender
February 20, 2015
1.jpg
Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet2.jpg
Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
Almost immediately, Thailand ran into budget constraints. The Chakri Naruebet was put to port for the better part of each month and in 2006 its associated air wing was withdrawn. The Harriers are now over 30 years old.
Thai aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
Even while operational, the carrier has been outclassed by the larger vessels of India and China, not to mention the US's super carrier fleet pictured below. It's now the smallest functioning aircraft carrier in the world.
3.jpg
Thai Aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet
The Chakri Naruebet was built to carry 9 Harrier aircraft and 14 helicopters, with a 605-person crew. Some of those planes are decades old, and the carrier reportedly doesn't have a functioning anti-aircraft defense system.
4.jpg
THai Aircraft carrier
Still, despite its shortcomings, the Chakri Naruebet has proved useful in humanitarian missions. The Diplomat notes that the carrier was used after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as well as in rescue operations after flooding in Thailand in 2010 and 2011
5.jpg
Thai aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet
chron.com
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