Thai defence ministry to resolve submarine procurement issue soon

[webfact]

 

The Thai defence ministry is anticipating a solution to its submarine procurement dilemma in the forthcoming two weeks, with the likely adoption of the Chinese engine, according to an official from the Navy.

 

The current predicament is under examination by a panel focusing on the Navy’s procurement of a Chinese submarine. The panel’s task is to determine whether to extend the existing contract for an additional 1,217 days, following the receipt of a letter from the Office of the Attorney-General.

 

Sutin Klungsang, the Defence Minister, has revealed that the panel is meticulously evaluating the details to reach a final decision. The procurement plan is under review, with three key considerations: the requirement of a submarine by the navy, the benefits to the nation, and the impact on bilateral relations.

 

The procurement plan originated during the previous administration of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who served simultaneously as prime minister and defence minister from 2014. The initial contract demanded that the partially constructed Chinese Yuan-class S26T submarine be powered by a German-built MTU 396 engine. However, Germany declined to sell the engines to China, as they are classified as military/defence items, reported Bangkok Post.

This denial was a consequence of the European Union’s 1989 directive to enforce an arms embargo on China. Following this, the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) proposed the Chinese-built CHD620 engine as an alternative.

Nonetheless, the Chinese Navy is required to certify the CHD620 engine’s compatibility with the Thai Navy and guarantee its safety. Additionally, it must compensate for any subsequent delays, the navy source added.

 

In related news, the Thai Cabinet is set to make a final verdict regarding the purchase of a Chinese-built submarine, stated Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The decision comes after the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the use of a Chinese engine for the submarine and recommended extending the contract. Sutin is expected to discuss the matter further with Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Chief Adm Adung Phan-iam upon his return from abroad.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of matichonweekly

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-02

 

- Cigna 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.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[flyingtlger]

Go German, much higher quality and precision..... 

[transam]

"Orderly now, no jumping the queue, thank you".....................

 

[Korat Kiwi]

33 minutes ago, transam said:

"Orderly now, no jumping the queue, thank you".....................

 

Should be easy to find when they sink it... Won't need US Navy help this time. 

 

Or maybe itll become a non submersible submarine... then we'll just call it a friggit. 

[OneZero]

The only understandable reason (not legitimate or justifiable reason) given by RTN Admirals for why any sub is necessary is that neighboring countries have one.  Yes, I do understand that "Face" is a super big deal in Thailand.  But that doesn't make it is justifiable or the most cost-effective alternative for any proposed RTN mission.  In addition, Thailand sets itself up for potential CCP logistics & political blackmail, as well as espionage by the CCP advisors on sight in Thailand.  Absurd.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai defence ministry is anticipating a solution to its submarine procurement dilemma in the forthcoming two weeks, with the likely adoption of the Chinese engine, according to an official from the Navy

So Thailands backing down on what they supposedly bought from the start.

It's a it like ordering a brand name item, but when it arrives from China it's full of 2nd rate parts.

 

 

[bamnutsak]

So Thailand is still set to be a Sub Hub?

 

 

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

Go German, much higher quality and precision..... 

Read again, not an option and never was. 

As Thailand already made a downpayment and obligated Thailand for all the installment payments during PM Prayut regime, built a sub dock and training center, recruited a submariner crew prepared for training and rejected offer to substitute a Chinese frigate for the sub, time is really of the essence to complete purchase and delivery. 

[trainman34014]

Easy to solve; scrap the whole idea and spend the money trying to make ordinary Folks lives better instead of buying Chinese Junk to make a few Admirals happy !

[mikebell]

16 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Easy to solve; scrap the whole idea and spend the money trying to make ordinary Folks lives better instead of buying Chinese Junk to make a few Admirals happy !

The admirals are very happy; they've had/spent their inducements. Billions have been spent already (see Srikcir above).  Scrapping the whole idea now is not feasible even for a Thai flip-flop government.

[OneZero]

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

The admirals are very happy; they've had/spent their inducements. Billions have been spent already (see Srikcir above).  Scrapping the whole idea now is not feasible even for a Thai flip-flop government.

Sunk cost -Yes.  But, to address only the cost -effectiveness aspects: that is not sufficient justification for making things worse with a 20–30-year expensive life cycle.

Plus, it also overlooks the potential logistic & political blackmail, & potential espionage considerations. 

 

Thailand was wise enough to not get too deeply ensnarled in the CCP's "Belt & Road" initiative traps ("Loss Leaders" to get a foot in the door). 

But the Thai military just can't resist the CCP temptations can they.

[worgeordie]

On 3/2/2024 at 10:38 AM, webfact said:

the impact on bilateral relations.

Maybe the most important reason they are going with a sub 🙄 standard engine ,

do they get a free rescue vessel with the sub.

 

regards worgeordie

[Purdey]

Give the navy a rubber dinghy and a pin. That should work. 

[brianthainess]

With my experience of marine diesels engines, all 'Rubber' fuel, oil and hydraulic lines must be marine grade. So I would not expect the Chinese one's to be marine grade, after working on their truck engines that failed. Wasted money when choppers are needed along with fighter jets.

[OneZero]

6 hours ago, OneZero said:

Sunk cost -Yes.  But, to address only the cost -effectiveness aspects: that is not sufficient justification for making things worse with a 20–30-year expensive life cycle.

Plus, it also overlooks the potential logistic & political blackmail, & potential espionage considerations. 

 

Thailand was wise enough to not get too deeply ensnarled in the CCP's "Belt & Road" initiative traps ("Loss Leaders" to get a foot in the door). 

But the Thai military just can't resist the CCP temptations can they.

Sorry, what I meant to say was that the "Sunk Costs" to date represents only a small part of the total 20–30-year life cycle costs of a major weapon system from Development to Procurement to Operation/Maintenance to Disposal.  The Thai mission of coastal security has more cost-effective alternative solutions. 

 

The Thai government does not have a valid need to involve themselves with expensive strategic deep water navy weapon systems, especially when it was developed for, & dependent upon, CCP naval Doctrine, Organizations, Training, Logistics and Materiel Upgrade support.

  

[herfiehandbag]

7 minutes ago, OneZero said:

Sorry, what I meant to say was that the "Sunk Costs" to date represents only a small part of the total 20–30-year life cycle costs of a major weapon system from Development to Procurement to Operation/Maintenance to Disposal.  The Thai mission of coastal security has more cost-effective alternative solutions. 

 

The Thai government does not have a valid need to involve themselves with expensive strategic deep water navy weapon systems, especially when it was developed for, & dependent upon, CCP naval Doctrine, Organizations, Training, Logistics and Materiel Upgrade support.

  

Yes, yes, yes, that's all very well, but when it is tied up outside the Admirals office it will fill the neighbours in awe!

[Sydebolle]

Just collect the manilla envelopes in Beijing; forget about the subs, the engine issue, the shallow Thai shores, the fact that there were no subs in the last 60 years and that eventual future conflicts will not be fought below the water level of the Gulf of Thailand ........ what a farçe. 

It is the Thai taxpayer to please the greed and sheer endless need for money by the powers-to-be - so be it 😉