Thai-China Submarine Deal Runs Aground on EU Arms Embargo

[webfact]

Bangkok Thailand

 

Zsombor Peter

 

BANGKOK — China has paused construction of an attack submarine earmarked for Thailand’s navy following Germany’s refusal to export the top-end engines the plans call for, a Thai naval official confirmed.

 

The work stoppage could strain Thailand’s military relations with China, which has replaced the United States as Thailand’s biggest arms supplier.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

The Royal Thai Navy and China’s state-owned China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co., or CSOC, signed the $402 million deal for the Yuan-class S26T submarine in 2017, with delivery originally expected by the end of next year.

 

Citing an anonymous Thai navy source, though, local media reported in February that construction of what would be the country’s first submarine had stalled.

 

In confirming the delay and its cause, Rear Admiral Apichai Sompolgrunk, director general of the Thai navy’s acquisitions management office, told VOA that the submarine was unlikely to arrive next year.

 

Full story: https://www.voanews.com/a/thai-china-submarine-deal-runs-aground-on-eu-arms-embargo-/6509026.html

 

 

-- © Copyright VOA NEWS 2022-04-02

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[RandiRona]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

China has paused construction of an attack submarine earmarked for Thailand’s navy following Germany’s refusal to export the top-end engines the plans call for, a Thai naval official confirmed

Hahaha....so China is just assembling stuff by sourcing parts from all over the world. Note to Thai government. Go directly to source countries for original submarines rather than getting a retrofitted copy.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In confirming the delay and its cause, Rear Admiral Apichai Sompolgrunk, director general of the Thai navy’s acquisitions management office, told VOA that the submarine was unlikely to arrive next year.

I hope Thailand didn't pay up front... a refund could be hard to get.

[JimHuaHin]

Well done EU.

But the question is, why did the Thai Navy not know about the EU embargo and its possible impact?

Clearly the Thai Navy did not do its homework; or were those Thai government officials involved in the decision making more focussed on the kickbacks they would get from China?

[DezLez]

Why did Thailand not use the standard Government Funded Equipment (GFE) procedures used by many Countries  when buying military hardware where the Purchasing Government buys the equipment under a separate contract and then either delivers it to the builder for fitting or installs the equipment in country after the ship/submarine is delivered,

 

[grego49]

[phetphet]

Thai submarine...powered by Great Wall Motors.

[RichardColeman]

26 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

or were those Thai government officials involved in the decision making more focussed on the kickbacks they would get from China?

That is more likely, probably had no intention of getting them, just the 'middle man' money

[lujanit]

Was this not reported here several weeks ago?

[Srikcir]

40 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Why did Thailand not use the standard Government Funded Equipment (GFE) procedures used by many Countries  when buying military hardware where the Purchasing Government buys the equipment under a separate contract and then either delivers it to the builder for fitting or installs the equipment in country after the ship/submarine is delivered,

 

It was ordered by the military coup organization the NCPO with Prayut as its chief. There was no government per se as Prayut overthrew the elected government in 2014 and took the mantle of PM. As such I don't think he was focused at that time on government rules and regulations having absolute power to govern.

[tonray]

45 minutes ago, grego49 said:

She's just disappointed it won't fit in the Shabu pot

[MrJ2U]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai navy’s acquisitions management office, told VOA that the submarine was unlikely to arrive next year.

Probably for 4-5 years at the minimum.

 

By the time they do arrive they'll be ready as a museum piece.

[mtls2005]

Yeah we'll have spaceships, transporters and the Kra Isthmus Canal before a submarine plies the shallow waters of the gulf of thailand.

[Pib]

 

Quote

BANGKOK — China has paused construction of an attack submarine earmarked for Thailand’s navy following Germany’s refusal to export the top-end engines the plans call for, a Thai naval official confirmed.

 

The Thai Navy has already come up with a fix....they are shipping engines from Thai long tail boats to China to replace the German engines.  Problem solved Thai style.  This should get the submarine delivery back on schedule so the sub can be parked next to the Thai aircraft carrier....the sub will be a great addition to the Navy amusement park.

 

[sammieuk1]

Down periscope we are going nowhere ????

[wombat]

14 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

submarine ...shallow waters of the gulf of thailand.

That has been the elephant in the room no one in the kickback food chain wants to talk about.

Why is this so?

The sub base being built in Cambodia by China is looking like the best place to park it up though.

[RocketDog]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I hope Thailand didn't pay up front... a refund could be hard to get.

Well, fair is fair. I'm sure China will deed over one of their ports to Thailand for 100 years.

[soi3eddie]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I hope Thailand didn't pay up front... a refund could be hard to get.

You can be sure the Chinese have a watertight contract to ensure that Thailand pays up. With or without engines. The brown envelopes are sure to be guaranteed whatever happens!

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

 

 

The Thai Navy has already come up with a fix....they are shipping engines from Thai long tail boats to China to replace the German engines.  Problem solved Thai style.  This should get the submarine delivery back on schedule so the sub can be parked next to the Thai aircraft carrier....the sub will be a great addition to the Navy amusement park.

 

Dirty foreigners will still not be allowed to visit lest they see the secrets of Thai military prowess. 

[phetphet]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

 

 

The Thai Navy has already come up with a fix....they are shipping engines from Thai long tail boats to China to replace the German engines.  Problem solved Thai style.  This should get the submarine delivery back on schedule so the sub can be parked next to the Thai aircraft carrier....the sub will be a great addition to the Navy amusement park.

 

But won't the breathing tube for the engine give away the location?

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 minutes ago, phetphet said:

But won't the breathing tube for the engine give away the location?

Or the noise that can be heard from 10km away. ????

 

Any engine they are going to put in these barnacle magnets will render them useless as stealth is critical to submarine operations.  

[ChrisY1]

A new order is slowly starting in the EU and the American to shun business with Russia and China.....IMO, it's a good move and designed to move business away from relying on these powers for trade.

Asian nations will eventually follow suit...Thailand will have some serious decisions to make and I don't believe the authorities here will have a grasp on this for some time.

 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

You can be sure the Chinese have a watertight contract to ensure that Thailand pays up. With or without engines. The brown envelopes are sure to be guaranteed whatever happens!

 

Probably come fitted with an elastic band and be parked alongside the aircraft carrier for show purposes.

[Pedrogaz]

The EU/UK/US are not your friends. Their mindset is still colonial and you all look alike to them.

[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, phetphet said:

Thai submarine...powered by Great Wall Motors.

Possibly;-

 

[tomazbodner]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

China has paused construction of an attack submarine earmarked for Thailand’s navy

Attack submarine? Who does Thailand plan to invade by sea??

[sawadee1947]

9 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Hahaha....so China is just assembling stuff by sourcing parts from all over the world. Note to Thai government. Go directly to source countries for original submarines rather than getting a retrofitted copy.

Well, they tried it indeed and traveled to a shipyard in Germany.

However, the price was obviously far beyond expectations.

Probably it was a nice trip eventually.????

[PETERTHEEATER]

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

Attack submarine? Who does Thailand plan to invade by sea??

Probably a typo. It should read 'A tacky submarine'. It may not get German diesel engines but the Seven Geese Flying East electric motors are ready to install......

[kimamey]

4 hours ago, phetphet said:

But won't the breathing tube for the engine give away the location?

No that's far too small to be seen until close up.

 

The huge Thai flag fluttering from the top may give it away though.

 

[HappyinNE]

It does not need an engine.  It will never leave port.  Keep the Aircraft Carrier company.