Thailand | Exercise Submarine I

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Title: Exercise Sunny Flight 2003
Document Number: RTAF-EXSNF-001/2003
Classification: Semi-Confidential | Secret
Security Level: NSST Protocol + Traditional Maximum Secure Encrypted Method
Date: July 8, 2003

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XI. IntroductionX

Background and Objective

With the Submarine Squadron One (SS1) of the Republic Thai First Fleet has been on hiatus for a while now, they would be called for an intensive training.

XII. Command and ControlX

2.1 Guidance

This operation is conducted under the guidance of the Defense Minister, Sutin Klungsang, and approval from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

XIII. Operational ForcesX

Republic Thai Navy First Fleet

• Submarine Squadron One (SS1)
  • [3] Type 209/1400 Submarine
    • 108 Personnel
      • HTMS Manopakorn
      • HTMS Phahonphonphayuhasena
      • HTMS Plaek

XIV. ExecutionX

4.1 Initial Deployment

All personnel will be reported to the respective base with all necessary equipment per the Defense Ministry documents.

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 per 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 mobilized all necessary resources for the deployment of Exercise Submarine I. The Defense Ministry expects that its contribution will represent Thailand's role as a regional leader dedicated to peace, stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia

[Signature]
Sutin Klungsang
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 Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Armed Forces Special Warfare & Operation Command

Distribution List:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Police
The Republic Armed Forces Headquarters
The Republic Thai Air Defense Command
The Naval Special Warfare Command
The Air Force Security Force Command

 

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Secret unless contextual possible.​

HTMS Manopakorn docked at the Songkhla Naval Base​

Immediately following the deployment order from the Republic Thai Navy First Fleet, all personnel of Submarine Squadron One (SS1) were swiftly transported to the modernized Songkhla Naval Base. Their rapid mobilization, completed within five minutes, was facilitated by the strategic positioning of their barracks and facilities adjacent to the naval installation, allowing for immediate response. Upon arrival, each member of SS1, already in full gear, underwent a final, rapid pre-deployment check. This process ensured their peak mental and physical health, a result of their rigorous daily training and wellness programs specifically tailored for submariners, focusing on endurance, mental agility, and undersea acclimatization.

The three Type 209/1400 submarines had attained their optimum operating efficiency and structural integrity, owing to the Navy's finest technical teams' diligent upkeep and modifications. The hulls of each submarine were extensively examined and strengthened to provide optimal longevity and stealth capabilities under the harsh circumstances of deep-sea missions. Inside, the facilities were renovated to the greatest levels conceivable, with cutting-edge navigation, communication, and life support equipment. These improvements were not just for technological superiority, but also for the crew's well-being and efficiency. From the control center to the living quarters, ergonomic design concepts were applied to every area of the submarine's interior, assuring maximum operational performance and comfort. All onboard systems, including sonar, propulsion, and tactical weapons systems, have been fine-tuned to ensure faultless operation. The modern digital periscopes on the submarines, which were outfitted with high-resolution cameras and infrared imaging, provided unrivaled surveillance capabilities.

Each submarine had 14 UGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles securely housed within its torpedo tubes as part of their strategic weaponry. The submarines began their voyage at exactly 1200 local time, traveling to operate near the preset coordinates inside sectors OK and OJ on the Transit Map, strategically placed in the Gulf of Thailand and within Thailand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Furthermore, fuel management was an important component of their operation. The submarines were instructed to keep a minimum of 200 kilometers of fuel reserves before beginning their return mission.​

 

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Secret unless contextual possible.​

The SS1 had arrived in the Gulf of Thailand in the precise coordinates of 11°05'18.6"N 100°47'32.6"E, a strategic site chosen for its depth and relative remoteness. The submarines kept a disciplined distance of at least 500 meters between them, ensuring operational independence but providing mutual help if needed. This depth, 300 meters below the water's surface, was excellent for evading notice while allowing for a variety of training activities. Personnel diligently trained and exercised in numerous circumstances inside the confines of the submerged submarines. These drills included both tactical usage of its onboard technology and regular procedures onboard a submarine. Drills were held to replicate real-world encounters, such as mock battles, emergency breach responses, and stealth navigation. These training exercises focused not just on technical skill, but also on developing a cohesive team capable of performing efficient and coordinated actions under duress. Life onboard was a lesson in discipline and adaptation at the same time. Crew members followed daily routines that included routine maintenance inspections, health and fitness regimes, and communal activities that produced a sense of camaraderie, which was critical for personnel's psychological well-being in such restricted surroundings.

Each submarine in the fleet completed a meticulously synchronized firing exercise during the night, precisely at 0200 local time. They each launched a single UGM-84 Harpoon Block II missile in a predetermined order. This exact, sequential shooting strategy was more than simply a display of firepower; it was a key drill in synchronization and timing, which is critical for operational efficiency in future conflict circumstances. Each missile's target coordinates were set at 10°39'54.30"N 100°33'20.20"E, a site chosen for its safety distance from shipping routes and usefulness for monitoring missile accuracy and performance. This exercise also allowed the missile guidance systems and the crew's competency in handling and firing these advanced weapons in low-visibility situations to be tested. Post-launch, the submarines' crews closely monitored the missiles' trajectories, collecting valuable data on their performance.​

 

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Secret unless contextual possible.​

Exactly at 1400 local time, three Type 209/1400 submarines moved smoothly into a second, far more intense, live fire phase of their training. The Republic Thai Navy Headquarters' Maritime Domain Awareness (MAD) systems coordinated a fake hostile discovery to start this phase. The personnel went into full alert mode as a result of the constructed yet extremely dangerous alarm. These submarines, which are now 300 metres below the surface, used electronic warfare and sophisticated monitoring methods to find and attack the enemy battleships that were being mimicked. Their crews, who were extensively educated in clandestine operations, honed abilities necessary for actual combat situations by practicing manoeuvres for a stealthy approach and engagement.

The submarines' pinpoint precision was made possible by the smooth integration of data from both their superior sonar systems and the MAD systems, which allowed them to lock onto their target. Each submarine readied itself to go on the offensive, with 13 of the original 14 UGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles remained in their armament. They all launched six UGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles towards the specified simulated target at the same time. It was a planned strategic maneuver to use nearly half of their remaining weaponry in order to test the efficacy of a large-scale strike while preserving enough firepower for any follow-up battles in the exercise.

The submarine sailors promptly began a comprehensive post-firing examination following the missile launch. This methodical procedure comprised examining each missile's trajectory and impact, gauging the performance of its targeting systems, and analysing the launch's overall strategic execution. In order to preserve operational security, the crew thoroughly examined their evasive and stealth maneuvers after launch to make sure no observable signs were left in the sea.​

 

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Secret unless contextual possible.​

In reaction to Thailand's increasing economic interests being jeopardised, prompt and immediate action was taken regarding the Thai Submarine Squadron. This special unit, known for its strategic importance in maritime operations, was quickly recalled to its home port. After receiving this urgent command, the squadron began a swift and organised removal from their existing positions. Once returned at their home port, the Submarine Squadron personnel began a rigorous and rapid preparation procedure for their probable deployment. This included thorough inspections and maintenance of the submarines to ensure they were in top operating shape. In a relatively short period of time, the crews refilled key supplies, ran system diagnostics, and reviewed tactical plans and routes. This planning was prompted by the necessity to preserve Thailand's economic interests. The squadron's preparedness was not only an issue of national security, but also of strategic importance in ensuring Thailand's economic stability and maritime sovereignty.​