Operation Zenith Harmony

[Bossza007]

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Title: Operation Zenith Harmony
Document Number: RTAF-OZH-001/2003
Classification: TOP SECRET
Security Level: Maximum Secure
Date: January 5th, 2003

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XI. IntroductionX

1.1 Background

Since Thailand has assumed the role of World Power and the representative of the Asian continent, Asia has transformed significantly. In recent months, three new powers have emerged in East Asia, re-entering the international stage: Japan, Korean, and Taiwan. All these three countries, particularly Japan, have been the one that attempts to challenge the balance of Power in Asia, thus destabilizing the continent. Furthermore, the recent dialogue between the Government of Thailand and Japan has indicated that Japan is currently in a tricky situation, believing to be on equal foot with Thailand. The Defense Ministry of Thailand has formulated the Operation Zenith Harmony, a large-scale wargame near Japan, but outside of its territorial waters, to showcase the capabilities of the Thai Armed Forces.

1.2 Objective

Operation Zenith Harmony is designed to be a large-scale naval fleet exercise using live ammunitions and weapons systems of the Thai Navy First Fleet to ensure readiness and equipment testing. On the other sides, this operation also aims to project the Thai military capability as the World Power, ensuring that the international community recognizes the resource and expertise that the Thai Navy has.

XII. Command and ControlX

2.1 Guidance

This operation is conducted under the guidance of the Defense Minister, Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and approval from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

2.2 Commanding Authority

This operationis conducted under the command of the Thai Armed Forces Headquarter and the Parliament of Thailand.

XIII. Operational ForcesX

3.1 The Thai Navy First Fleet

Submarine Squadron (SS)

• [3] Preveza-class, Type 209 Variant
  Submarine
• 108 Crews
• Songkhla Naval Base

1st Frigate Squadron (FS1)

• [9] Naresuan-class frigate (1,350 Crews)
• [2] Gepard-class frigate (188 Crews)
• Sattahip Naval Base

4th Frigate Squadron (FS4)

• [9] Naresuan-class frigate (1,350 Crews)
• [2] Gepard-class frigate (188 Crews)
• Sattahip Naval Base

3.2 Deployed Vessel

Preveza-class

• HTMS Manopakorn
• HTMS Phahonphonphayuhasena
• HTMS Plaek

Naresuan-class Frigate

• HTMS Uthong
• HTMS Ramesuan
• HTMS Borommarachathirat I
• HTMS Yotfa
• HTMS Worawongsathirat
• HTMS Uthumphon
• HTMS Ekkathat
• HTMS Hao
• HTMS Ban
• HTMS Prasat Thong
• HTMS Chao Fa Chai
• HTMS Si Suthammaracha
• HTMS Narai
• HTMS Phetracha
• HTMS Suriyenthrathibodi
• HTMS Thai Sa
• HTMS Borommakot
• HTMS Ngua Nam Thum

Gepard-class Frigate

• HTMS Noi
• HTMS Pa Sak
• HTMS Kok
• HTMS Mae Sai

3.3 The Thai Auxiliary Fleet

Logistic Support Squadron (LSS)

• [5] Tanker 23000 (100 Crews)
• Sattahip Naval Base

XIV. ExecutionX

4.1 Initial Deployment

All personnel will be reported to their respective naval bases immediately after the approval of the operation, armed with necessary supplies for the entire course of their deployment. Every individual is in peak physical and mental condition, having undergone rigorous training exercises that simulate the challenges they are likely to face. The fleet is fully operational, with each vessel meticulously inspected and equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and navigation systems.

4.2 Communication

Effective communication among all the units must be maintained. Any unidentified or suspicious activity must be reported to the command center immediately.

4.3 Rules of Engagement

Engagement will be in accordance with the established Rule of Engagement (ROE) with the application of Increased Vigilance (IVG) and international laws. The use of force must be proportionate, and only used in self-defense or to deter identified threats after all non-lethal methods have been exhausted.

4.4 Support

Logistic support, including fuel, supplies, and maintenance, will be provided by the respective naval bases.

XV. CoordinationX

5.1 Inter-agency

Liaise with maritime agencies such as the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force to ensure maximum coverage and sharing of intelligence.

5.2 International

In case any foreign vessels or units are involved, contact must be established with the respective embassies or consulates and the situation must be reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

XVI. ConclusionX

The Defense Ministry has formulated Operation Zenith Harmony under the Parliament Order presented by the Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, with the guidance of Defense Minister, Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Through the deployment of the Thai First Fleet, the Thai Government expects to showcase its military capability as one of the World Power.

Continuous assessment of the operation, including strategic deployment, will be done to adjust the deployment strategy, as necessary.

[Signature]
Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Defence Minister

[Signature]
Thaksin Shinawatra
Prime Minister, Republic of Thailand

Document Clearance:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Royal Thai Air Force Command Center
The Royal Thai Navy Command Center
The Royal Thai Army Command Center
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters

Distribution List:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Royal Thai Air Force Command Center
The Royal Thai Navy Command Center
The Royal Thai Police
Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
Air Defense Command
The National Assembly of Thailand

 

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Operation Zenith Harmony Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: 6th January, 2003​ Location: Pacific Ocean​ Participant: Thailand​

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The Thai Navy First Fleet would now commence from their respective naval base, SS and FS4 departed from Songkhla Naval Base in OJ and FS1 in OK, where they would meet and form a defensive position in the Gulf of Thailand in OJ. When the fleet has congregated, the Logistic Support Squadron (LSS) where they departed from the Sattahip Naval Base in OK would refuel the Thai First Fleet.

Operation Zenith Harmony would operate on the utmost vigilant principles where each personnel maintain a rigor schedule in accordance with an actual deployment into the warzone. By travelling through the route of OJ > OK > PL > PM without entering or getting near any country territorial water, they would arrive in the Pacific Ocean, 500 kilometers from the Japanese boundary of its territorial water. They would stand by there as the LSS replenished the fleet in the following days.

 

[Vladilena Milizé]

While the Thai Fleet had taken great care not to be caught inside Japanese territorial waters, they were still massing in large numbers within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone and as such even though the operation was classified that took them through the patrol routes of the Japanese Navy. The JS Hokuto was operating west of Nishinoshima, even though not the most modern naval radar in Japan it still was capable enough to pick up the Japanese vessels. Following their standing orders the ship would shadow the fleet, maintaining their distance but making sure they stayed within range of the radar. They would also call back to Naval Command to inform them of the situation. Unlike the PRC, Thailand was not considered a hostile state but they still had to be prepared for anything with a fleet this size.

After processing the message and radar data Naval Command wanted to be extra sure before informing the Ministry of Defence and from there likely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After receiving the request, Air Command would launch two F-15Js operating out of Nyutabaru. Because their mission was radar and visual confirmation, they would fly without air to surface missiles and only their regular complement of AAM-4s and AAM-5s air-to-air missiles.

After flying over the fleet and being able to confirm the results using their more modern radars and seeing the Thai flags while flying low enough to make visual confirmation without entering the ships' air security zones they would fly back to base.

Now with the results in hand the data was relayed to the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence would notify the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a request of the latter to reach out to the Republic of Thailand to request an explanation for the presence of a large number of warships in Japan's EEZ and not that far away from the Home Islands' territorial waters.

The Ministry of Defence would order Naval Command to redirect additional Patrol Boats to keep shadowing the fleet. Strict orders were issued to not appear as a security threat and only fire if fired upon first.

In line with these directives the JS Gekko, JS Tenka, JS Kyoshin, JS Kazan, and the JS Hokuto were all ordered to shadow the Thai fleet from different angles. Each ship carried their default complements of 4 SSM-1Bs and were outfitted with 1 Otobreda 76 mm gun and 2 12.7mm M2 Machine Guns. The ships would not move to general quarters and continue operating as normal so that they would not appear threatening,

 

[Bossza007]

While arriving at the designated area for the exercise of the Operation Zenith Harmony, the Thai Fleet advance Thales LW08 long range search radar with the instrumental range of over 270 kilometers, would easily capture the signature and detect the presence of any vessel nearby, thus breaking the wall of shadow that the Japanese coast guard tried to secretly and closely observe the Thai fleet even though they would likely be detected before they can do so to in return.

As the two F-15Js from the Japanese Air Force approached, they wouldn’t be able to make a visual contact within the Thai flag without entering the 50 kilometers air security zones around each vessel. Even though they might have fly too low and close, the Thai fleet would remain silent, as any confrontation with the Thai Navy would never result in a satisfactory end for Japan.

Vladilena Milizé

 

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Operation Zenith Harmony Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: 7th January, 2003​ Location: Pacific Ocean​ Participant: Thailand​

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The Thai Navy First Fleet was positioned in the designated operation, thus completing the phase of initial positioning as the submarines was deployed ahead of the fleet to gather intelligence and monitor fictional Redland territory and frigates formed a protective screen around the command-and-control ship. They would now start the first phase of operation against Redland named Reconnaissance and Intel Gathering

Submarines would use its passive sonar to listen for the acoustic signatures of enemy ships and submarines and would send encrypted data back to command. Onboard computers and analysts would interpret the sonar data to identify the type and possibly the class of detected vessels. The submarine sends this information back to the command-and-control ship via secure, encrypted channels. This could involve surfacing to a periscope depth to send a burst transmission or using underwater communication systems. Frigate would deploy helicopters for aerial reconnaissance before relaying their findings back to their respective frigates, which then send this data to the command-and-control ship. After everything has been completed, they would start the second phase of Live-Fire Engagements.

Within the Submarine Operation, they would use the simulated intel gathered to “lock on” the simulated target using submarine’s combat system. Before the actual launch upon the target, they would follow a rigorous safety protocol to ensure that the firing solution is accurate and that no friendly vessels are in the line of fire. After everything is in place, each submarine would fire a live torpedo at the simulated target before performing evasive maneuvers to simulate avoiding counter-detection and counterattacks.

Within the Frigate Operations, frigate would deploy Sonobuoys to create sonar depth before launching live torpedoes at another simulated target and dropping a live depth charge on designated underwater targets, following strict safety protocols. Moving to Anti-Air and Anti-Ship Drills, frigate would fire anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles at floating target as well as onboard guns to fire live rounds at surface targets.

 

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Operation Zenith Harmony Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: 10th January, 2003​ Location: Pacific Ocean​ Participant: Thailand |Japan Vladilena Milizé​

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Freedom of Navigation Zone of Operation Zenith Harmony​

Completing the first two phases of Operation Zenith Harmony, the LSS would replenish the Thai Navy First Fleet as well as their armament. After everything was in placed and the fleet status reclaimed its vigor as mentioned in the document RTAF-OZH-001/2003, they would have a day of emergency simulation and intense scenario to perform their on board duty.

The Thai Navy First Fleet would now begin the third phase of Operation Zenith Harmony, Power Projection. Within this phase the Thai frigates and submarine would remain in high alert with anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and anti-submarine systems ready for immediate action. They would open channels of communication, answering their intentions to pass through international waters and refuting any unlawful maritime claims. Any interaction from outside the fleet would be recorded and sent back to the commanding ship.

As Submarine travel with Freedom of Navigation, they would a periscope depth reconnaissance to ensure that the area is clear of civilian vessels and to assess any potential threats. Once cleared, the submarine surfaces, making its presence known. They would occasionally raise the Thai flag and turn on powerful lights to make its presence more visible. While surface, they would send real-time data back to the command-and-control ship or receive updated orders. After the sunlight began to fade, the submarines and the frigates would retreat while performing deploy decoys as a counter-detection tactic

 

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Operation Zenith Harmony Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: 11th January, 2003​ Location: Pacific Ocean​ Participant: Thailand |Japan Vladilena Milizé​

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The Thai First Fleet would enter the fourth fleet of Operation Zenith Harmony, Coordinated Strikes. All frigates and submarines would each launch a missile to land, but not explore, near the territorial water of Japan, outside of it. After launching helicopters to gain intelligence, they would confirm that they have hit and sunk simulated targets, yet some still remained.

With that, they would quickly move to the fifth phase, Evasion and Counterattack. Both Submarines and Frigates would simulate being detected by the enemy vessel. Submarines would change depth and direction, entering thermal layers in the water to disrupt sonar tracking. Acoustic decoys were released to further confuse enemy sonar and simulate counterattacks. Frigates would simulate warning of in-coming missiles from the enemy ship, they would launch decoys before firing another missile near the Japanese territorial water, but outside of it.

As they had finished their tactical operation, they would enter the sixth phase, Extraction. They would regroup and exit the contested area and maintain high alert for potential enemy pursuit. With that, they would sail back to their home port the same route they come.