Thailand fired ESSM from its Chinese-made Type 053 frigate for first time

The Royal Thai Navy has successfully test fired its newly acquired Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) from HTMS Naresuan during Exercise CARAT 2015 on Aug. 30.

Photos: Royal Thai Navy

The target drone was launched from USS German Town and the missile shot it down at a range of 9 nm.

Thailand bought nine ESSMs for its two Naresuan frigates in 2013. These missiles are housed in a MK 41 eight-cell vertical launch system using an MK 25 Quad Pack canister.
Saab was awarded a contract in 2011 to upgrade each ship with its 9LV MK4 combat management system, Sea Giraffe AMB radar, CEROS 200 fire control radar, EOS 500 electro-optics system and data link systems.
Source: Thailand fired ESSM from its Chinese-made Type 053 frigate for first time