Amid the uncertainty and delay in its submarine acquisition, the Royal Thai Navy suffered another setback when its slim hopes of procuring a frigate were dashed by lawmakers. 

 

A House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the budget rejected the Navy’s proposal to buy the warship, citing budget constraints and a poor procurement plan.

 

Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang said his government was not able to arrange enough budget for the Navy to purchase a 17-billion-baht frigate to replace its aging fleet in fiscal year 2024.

 

The national defense budget would have been too high, as the Navy continues to remain interested in the submarine project, he said.

 

Government MPs, mostly from the ruling Pheu Thai Party in the House budget committee, voted against the Navy’s frigate proposal. In contrast, opposition MPs backed the frigate plan. They argued that it was necessary to ensure maritime security and ensure economic benefit for the country.

 

The Defense Ministry had proposed a 198.3-billion-baht budget for the military for fiscal 2024, up 2 per cent over the 194.4 billion baht arranged by the military-backed government under General Prayut Chan-o-cha last year.

 

The Navy had sought a 17-billion-baht budget for five years to procure a 4,000-ton frigate that would have required a payment of 1.7 billion baht in the first year.

 

Navy vs Air Force

 

When asked if the Navy would have a chance to submit its proposal for consideration in the next fiscal year, Sutin said the Air Force had already submitted a proposal to procure 12 new fighter jets that might cost 19 billion baht.

 

Admiral Adung Phan-iam told reporters that the Navy would leave the final decision to the defense minister on whether it would be possible to arrange the budget soon, or perhaps in fiscal year 2025 or 2026.

 

The proposed frigate would have been the most advanced warship to be commissioned in the Thai fleet with stealth technology, an anti-drone system, and a three-dimension radar.

 

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk

TOP: File photo

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-19

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

When asked if the Navy would have a chance to submit its proposal for consideration in the next fiscal year, Sutin said the Air Force had already submitted a proposal to procure 12 new fighter jets that might cost 19 billion baht.

I would take Air Force capabilities over Navy capabilities any day of the week.....

Give it a rest.....'a take no sides neutral country' - ya don't need Frigates and submarines and F-22's, how bout a minimum wage big increase for your citizens lawmakers........ 

I am sure Laos is looking for an opportunity to take over Thai Seas!!!

Well iof the TN were not so incapable they would not have lost a frigate in hugh seas, or even tried to blow one up with a stray shell from another ship. So theu have proven themselves incompetent, a fleet of smaller offshore patrol boats would be better suited in my book

ur 

Might have to settle for a combat canoe this year then.

 

 

We will see over the next year what the threat was which required a strengthening of the Navy’s fleet.

 

If there is no threat that is a year’s purchasing and operating budget that has been saved.

 

Rinse and repeat.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Navy had sought a 17-billion-baht budget for five years to procure a 4,000-ton frigate that would have required a payment of 1.7 billion baht in the first year.

 

Savvy Admirals, taking all of the skim in the first year.

 

Will boost consumer spending.

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the budget rejected the Navy’s proposal to buy the warship, citing budget constraints and a poor procurement plan.

Boys without toys..... 

Stop sinking or crashing that stuff you already have then...or is that part of the plan?

RTN is not the RTA. Says it all.

3 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

how bout a minimum wage big increase for your citizens lawmakers........ 

But that would just raise inflation and unemployment.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

They argued that it was necessary to ensure maritime security and ensure economic benefit for the country.

From whom? I think we all know who will benefit economically.  

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Sutin said the Air Force had already submitted a proposal to procure 12 new fighter jets that might cost 19 billion baht.

Absolute waste of money unless Thailand is proposing to invade someone.

Chopper are needed sooo much more, and can be adapted for a mirade of uses.

5 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

Give it a rest.....'a take no sides neutral country' - ya don't need Frigates and submarines and F-22's, how bout a minimum wage big increase for your citizens lawmakers........ 

Hungry people in this country.  Not enough clean water.  Not enough medical care.  There are so many items on the list that need taking care of before some admirals and generals prestige needs.  

6 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

I would take Air Force capabilities over Navy capabilities any day of the week.....

Especially when it comes to supporting a military coup. Hard to break up street protests with a sub or frigate.

Well, that means that the First Sealord and all those Admirals have to learn how to swim - or borrow the submarines from the Lao Navy for the time being ....... 

5 hours ago, Nicholas Paul KNIGHT said:

Well iof the TN were not so incapable they would not have lost a frigate in hugh seas, or even tried to blow one up with a stray shell from another ship. So theu have proven themselves incompetent, a fleet of smaller offshore patrol boats would be better suited in my book

ur 

Yes offshore high speed patrol boats, where would the submarine patrol, they do know I presume it goes under the water, 

8 hours ago, Nicholas Paul KNIGHT said:

Well iof the TN were not so incapable they would not have lost a frigate in hugh seas, or even tried to blow one up with a stray shell from another ship. So theu have proven themselves incompetent, a fleet of smaller offshore patrol boats would be better suited in my book

ur 

Absolutely agree on all of your comments!

Quite honestly why does Thailand need a submarine and a Frigate with Stealth technology as well as 12 new fighter jets ? Spend the money on a few smaller coastal patrol boats that maybe they have a better chance of looking after, 3 modern jets and the balance of the money on projects that better the lives of the Thai people. Which country has been an enemy of Thailand since the 2nd world war, apart from some very minor skirmishes with Cambodia over a long standing border dispute there hasn't been any need for National Defense.