The US Navy, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy began the 31st exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2025 with an opening ceremony in Sattahip, Thailand, on Monday, July 7.
CARAT Thailand is a bilateral maritime exercise taking place ashore in Sattahip and at sea in the Gulf of Thailand.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara, with an embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, will operate at sea with the Royal Thai Navy Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Naresuan, the Chao Phraya-class frigate HTMS Saiburi, and the Rattanakosin-class corvette HTMS Rattanakosin.
This year’s at-sea training will include anti-submarine warfare exercises, air defence exercises, and surface action group coordination. Mine countermeasures and search and rescue training events will also be incorporated.
The Royal Canadian Navy has limited participation in CARAT Thailand 2025 by providing members of a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team to participate in the VBSS event.
CARAT Thailand’s shore phase will consist of classroom subject matter expert exchanges and practical education on topics that include maritime domain awareness, medicine, and at-sea explosive ordnance disposal.