Thai Navy conditionally approves ship engine to power China-built submarine

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, beau thai said:

so wont the submarines be so detectable at that level as to be useless??

Yes indeed and easily destroyed?

 

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok is prepared to accept a modified ship engine to power a submarine China is building 

A sail ? 

[ratcatcher]

6 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Exactly what does this mean - Reading this in its current form it means absolutely nothing ..

It means the Thais are giving the Chinese conditions of acceptance.  Somebody has tp put their foot down.

[Henkjan2]

They may join the US-navy when China is going to invade Taiwan. China would love that ????

[Gknrd]

In other words, the Chinese will steal, then copy the plans of the German engine and build it for Thailand. Sounds like business as usual..

[Stevemercer]

Of course Thailand needs submarines, the same as any maritime nation dependent upon the ocean for its oil/gas and trade. Not so much as an offensive/defensive weapon, but to train officers and crew and allow rapid force expansion if the worst should ever happen. The most important strategic reason is to allow Thailand to develop a credible anti-submarine deterrent force. To do this, it needs real subs to practice on (and to fight back).

 

 

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

In other words, the Chinese will steal, then copy the plans of the German engine and build it for Thailand. Sounds like business as usual..

These engines are already in use.

[herfiehandbag]

As I understand it ( and bear in mind I am a simple soldier, and my webbed feet brethren can confirmor deny this), the critical thing about a submarines propulsion system is silence whilst submerged, so that lantern jawed Jack Hawkins lookalikes cannot track it whilst submerged.

 

Now submarines use two methods of propulsion whilst submerged - electric motors which are silent, but depend on the efficacy of the diesel engines used on the surface to charge the batteries, and the diesel engines running on "snorkels". So the critical question is: will the Chinese knock offs of the German engines be as good as charging the batteries, and will the Singapore/Malacca Straits listening apparatus be able to hear them snorkeling as they trundle down the Gulf of Thailand en route to sowing awe amongst their neighbours?

 

 

Edited April 28, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[nauseus]

2 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

As I understand it ( and bear in mind I am a simple soldier, and my webbed feet brethren can confirmor deny this), the critical thing about a submarines propulsion system is silence whilst submerged, so that lantern jawed Jack Hawkins lookalikes cannot track it whilst submerged.

 

Now submarines use two methods of propulsion whilst submerged - electric motors which are silent, but depend on the efficacy of the diesel engines used on the surface to charge the batteries, and the diesel engines running on "snorkels". So the critical question is: will the Chinese knock offs of the German engines be as good as charging the batteries, and will the Singapore/Malacca Straits listening apparatus be able to hear them snorkeling as they trundle down the Gulf of Thailand en route to sowing awe amongst their neighbours?

 

 

I don't know how quiet these engines are but small diesel/electric subs are not expected to be stealthy for more than a short duration (electric only) anyway. Greater battery charging capability is obviously preferred but the efficiency of the batteries themselves is at least as important. Use of diesels, either surfaced or snorkeling means that running silent is out of the question. Even the use of electrical propulsion makes some noise.

 

Submarines near Singapore and most of the Malacca Straits will encounter similar depth restrictions as those in the Gulf of Thailand but heavy traffic background noise in the busy straits would help mask engine and prop noise. 

[3NUMBAS]

will it leak ??lots of bandages needed

[nauseus]

1 minute ago, 3NUMBAS said:

will it leak ??lots of bandages needed

I really hope not. Last year was bad enough.

[Iron Tongue]

All this delay means is that China-Thailand haven't-yet agreed on the right amount of bribes for everyone.

[Bundooman]

16 hours ago, mfd101 said:

But could be useful in the event of war with India.

The Indian navy would annihilate them. 

[Bundooman]

11 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

Of course Thailand needs submarines, the same as any maritime nation dependent upon the ocean for its oil/gas and trade. Not so much as an offensive/defensive weapon, but to train officers and crew and allow rapid force expansion if the worst should ever happen. The most important strategic reason is to allow Thailand to develop a credible anti-submarine deterrent force. To do this, it needs real subs to practice on (and to fight back).

 

 

The more you say it, the more I believe you. Thailand has not had submarines for around 50 years or more. Who will train them?

Who in the Thai navy can speak either English or Chinese competently enough to learn just from those sources?

Would you want to dive with these guys?  

Even if they managed to accomplish the maintenance?

In a Chinese made vessel with a fake engine?

Edited April 29, 2023 by Bundooman

[Lucky Bones]

If you tip the sub vertically it would make a great rocket to go to the moon.????????

[Grumpy one]

21 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Exactly what does this mean - Reading this in its current form it means absolutely nothing ..

Maybe China will offer a roadside / underwater assistance  

[daveAustin]

Dear Thailand, stop getting tat from China and pick a side. Better off with a canoe with an outboard lol. 

[h90]

12 hours ago, Gknrd said:

In other words, the Chinese will steal, then copy the plans of the German engine and build it for Thailand. Sounds like business as usual..

not a technician, I think.....you don't steal engine plans and just build it....it is not like copy Microsoft Office.

[mikebell]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

13.5 billion baht (U.S. $369 million)

Divided by - 'Its use would have to be in the Andaman Sea which has a total Thailand coastline of about 949km covering 6 provinces.'  How much to protect ONE kilometre of Thai coast and who will be the invading enemy?

[PETERTHEEATER]

21 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

They will save money by having fixed, non-retractable, periscopes

[Bday Prang]

13 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

Of course Thailand needs submarines, the same as any maritime nation dependent upon the ocean for its oil/gas and trade. Not so much as an offensive/defensive weapon, but to train officers and crew and allow rapid force expansion if the worst should ever happen. The most important strategic reason is to allow Thailand to develop a credible anti-submarine deterrent force. To do this, it needs real subs to practice on (and to fight back).

 

 

To fight back against who exactly? The Laos navy ?

[VocalNeal]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok is prepared to accept a modified ship engine to power a submarine

A submarine is a ship so an engine is an engine. ????

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, Bundooman said:

Who in the Thai navy can speak either English or Chinese competently enough to learn just from those sources?

So you really think there is absolutely no one in the entire navy who speaks good English? What ridiculous nonsense.

[Taboo2]

What is the purpose of these submarines?  They will not last two minutes if the shooting starts....especially with a first class Naval power.

[transam]

Just now, Taboo2 said:

What is the purpose of these submarines?  They will not last two minutes if the shooting starts....especially with a first class Naval power.

It will not be used, it is the top boy's toy.....................

[Mavideol]

On 4/28/2023 at 10:18 AM, webfact said:

The Chinese Navy would have until June to guarantee the modified ship engine’s safety

last minute thought, could it be the Russia army commander the supplier of such modified engine  555

Russian army commander arrested for ‘selling tank engines

https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-army-commander-arrested-selling-195401327.html