Submarine snag: Thai prime minister dives into talks with China

[webfact]

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for talks with the Chinese government regarding the delay in the delivery of a commissioned Chinese submarine to Thailand. The submarine in question, an S26T Yuan-class model, was initially planned to reach Thailand last month. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery has been postponed until April of the coming year.

 

China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC), the firm responsible for the construction of the submarine under a government-to-government agreement, suggested a CHD620 engine. The recommendation came after Germany declined to sell its MTU 396 diesel engine to China, citing it as a military defence item.

 

Before his departure to China on Monday, Prime Minister Srettha mentioned that he had a discussion on this matter with a German cabinet minister during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. However, they did not reach a definitive conclusion.

“I don’t want to offer any hope because the matter is delicate and requires good management. But I insist a clear solution is needed. I will try to hold talks and find a solution for all sides.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo taken from Defense News.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-17

 

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[CANSIAM]

Indeed a delicate matter when none of your Naval personnel have Sonar training........... 

[2baht]

Periscope up! Dive, dive, dive!!!

[Peabody]

First, I thought they called this off.

Second, it feels like the bribes/skim have already been paid out and it is now necessary to finalize the purchase to balance the books.

[keith101]

Who would Thailand go to war against that they even need subs

[2baht]

50 minutes ago, keith101 said:

Who would Thailand go to war against that they even need subs

I think they are their own worst enemy!

[Tarteso]

This one Free Shipping in one week. Just Bht.13.66

[Cake Monster]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Before his departure to China on Monday, Prime Minister Srettha mentioned that he had a discussion on this matter with a German cabinet minister during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. However, they did not reach a definitive conclusion.

What a fib

There was a definitive answer and it was 

" We will not supply an Engine Manufacture in Germany for your Submarine

It contravenes an EU directive to not supply China with any material Etc that has a Military Use

I suggest you go talk with Briggs and Stratton for your Engine requirement ""

[Brickleberry]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“I don’t want to offer any hope because the matter is delicate and requires good management. But I insist a clear solution is needed. I will try to hold talks and find a solution for all sides."

No, that's just not how things are done. You are the Prime Minister of Thailand.

 

You were not elected, and you were not the first choice (or second, third or fourth) for the people, but you still have to represent the people of Thailand, not China. You need to find a solution for the Thai people, which is not to buy the useless submarines in the first place. China broke the deal in the first place - they could never supply German engines.

[ignore it]

The only clear solution Thailand will get will be if the CCP slathers it with KY

before they give it to Thailand.

[Banana7]

That CHD620 engine has never been installed on a submarine. Subs require very special engines because the engine will rotate in 3 different planes simultaneously as the sub dives and turns and performs other maneuvers. Also, exhaust, fuel, oil, and coolant need special delivery mechanism.

 

Glad to see the Navy is smart enough not become experiments of the Chinese.

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Srettha mentioned that he had a discussion on this matter with a German cabinet minister during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. However, they did not reach a definitive conclusion.

Nein nein nein...

[Srikcir]

The PM needs as head of a recent new government to be honest about why so insistent that the Chinese sub MUST have the German engines. Yes, it's on the original purchase agreement, but why is he refusing China's offer to substitute with alternative? 

Maybe because it's really a Thai Navy issue that originally "demanded" the sub be fitted with the German engines regardless of known international political restraints for Germany. It seems obvious that the PM doesn't want to disturb the military. Again.

[sammieuk1]

Starting to feel like the new unelected PM is a bit of a closet commie today ????

[2baht]

3 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Starting to feel like the new unelected PM is a bit of a closet commie today ????

Meeting the Emperor and the Czar in a heartbeat! The East is RED!

 

 

[paul1804]

Obviously the 'Brown envelopes" are substantial as Thailand has no use or need for a submarine and do not have the expertise to operate or maintain such a vessel. They cannot even maintain the coastal vessels they have, it is a pending disaster! 

[BarraMarra]

He will ask if the team building the Sub will remember to make sure there are enough holes for the Oars.

[PETERTHEEATER]

2 hours ago, Banana7 said:

That CHD620 engine has never been installed on a submarine. Subs require very special engines because the engine will rotate in 3 different planes simultaneously as the sub dives and turns and performs other maneuvers. Also, exhaust, fuel, oil, and coolant need special delivery mechanism.

 

Glad to see the Navy is smart enough not become experiments of the Chinese.

 

Surely an ICE is only for surface use? All submerged maneuvers use electric motor power..i should be more worried about the batteries. ????

[Bundooman]

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

Periscope up! Dive, dive, dive!!!

"Periscope up! Surface, surface, surface"!

"Please surface.................."

"I don't know how either".

"Just surface, surface, surface!

[Banana7]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Surely an ICE is only for surface use? All submerged maneuvers use electric motor power..i should be more worried about the batteries. ????

Yes but rarely are surface waters smooth. Surely there will be waves, sea swells, and lots of unpredictable bouncing, nothing like a stationary operating position.

[Andycoops]

And still it rumbles on...

[brianthainess]

24 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

And still it rumbles on...

Nah, no rumbles that requires an engine, Run Silent run deep 

[brianthainess]

23 hours ago, 2baht said:

Periscope up! Dive, dive, dive!!!

BONK!!! as it hits the floor of the Gulf only 57 meters at mean depth.

[jacko45k]

On 10/17/2023 at 11:25 AM, keith101 said:

Who would Thailand go to war against that they even need subs

Laos...

[herfiehandbag]

On 10/17/2023 at 10:52 AM, CANSIAM said:

Indeed a delicate matter when none of your Naval personnel have Sonar training........... 

They have had a submarine training centre, complete with Admiral and staff for many years. It probably even has a golf course, all that training and expertise developed over decades, and now they can't get their paws on one measly little submarine! It would look so good, so awesome, tied up to a jetty at the submarine base - even without an engine!