Thai Navy Set to Receive First Chinese Submarine Within Three Years

[webfact]

 

Thailand and China have concluded negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) planned procurement of one Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam announced today that the deal is currently awaiting final cabinet approval. If granted, the RTN will amend the deal accordingly with the Chinese manufacturer.

 

Admiral Adoong expects the anticipated submarine to be delivered within three years. The vessel, equipped with advanced weaponry, promises to significantly bolster the navy's capabilities. Notably, the S26T Yuan-class submarine will be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

 

The submarine acquisition has been delayed for years due to the RTN's original insistence on German-made diesel engines, as specified in the procurement contract. However, Germany's refusal to supply these engines to China—part of the EU's boycott against China—stalled the process. The RTN has now decided to proceed with Chinese-made CHD620 diesel engines instead.

 

 

 

Admiral Adoong expressed confidence that the Thai public would take pride in the RTN's new acquisition. He hinted that the procurement of one submarine might pave the way for the acquisition of one or two additional submarines in the future.

 

Analysts believe this deal signifies a strengthening of Thailand's military ties with China, reflecting a broader regional shift in defence procurement strategies. The RTN's decision to compromise on the engine specification indicates a pragmatic approach to overcoming diplomatic and logistical hurdles in order to enhance its naval capabilities.

 

The forthcoming submarine is seen as a monumental step for the RTN, setting a precedent for further modernisation of the fleet. In the long term, this acquisition could well reposition the Thai Navy more prominently on the regional defence map.

 

Picture courtesy: Naval News

 

-- 2024-05-31

 

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[petermik]

Now that IS good news..........

[brianthainess]

3 years to fit an engine ?.................

[StayinThailand2much]

Finally! Does that mean that we won't be reading every other week about the wait for the subs anymore? 🤔 

[Will B Good]

I can hear the slum dwellers of Khlong Toei cheering and breathing a sigh of relief as I type.....we're safe.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand and China have concluded negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) planned procurement of one Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam announced today that the deal is currently awaiting final cabinet approval. If granted, the RTN will amend the deal accordingly with the Chinese manufacturer

You will buy them and have our engines fitted.. comprendy?

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Finally! Does that mean that we won't be reading every other week about the wait for the subs anymore? 🤔 

Doubtful...

[Searat7]

Need to receive 2 so one can rescue the sailors from the other one

[Tailwagsdog]

...and the enemy is ...?

[Purdey]

I can't wait to be taken on a tour of the boat. With the other tourists, as it sits in dry dock.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In the long term, this acquisition could well reposition the Thai Navy more prominently on the regional defence map.

Very long term and then not catch up with regional sub forces. http://thediplomat.com

• Vietnam operates SIX Russian kilo-class submarines.
• Singapore operates two Swedish Challenger-class submarines and two Swedish Archer-class submarines with four new Type 218SG subs from Germany.
• Indonesia operates five Type 209 submarines with order for an additional three.
• Malaysia operates two RMN subs and will have a four boat submarine fleet by 2050.

[PETERTHEEATER]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The forthcoming submarine is seen as a monumental step

And, will likely end up moored alongside its sister vessel, the aircraft carrier monument.

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

3 years to fit an engine ?.................

The Chinese builder is unlikey to commence construction until the revised contract is signed by all parties. The Thai cabinet has yet to approve the purchase.

 

Effectively, the engine needs to be installed before the pressure hull is completed. The sub is powered by an electric motor fed from a battery. The motor drives an electrical generator to charge the battery and electric motor when surfaced.

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

3 years to fit an engine ?.................

They have to work out how to copy it first.

[cheerz]

What logic,many Thai people living below poverty line & they spend millions baht on submarines. Feed the people why submarines when you have many poor who can't access a normal life. Who you defending from that you need submarines, talk about suffering brain fog 

 

 

 

 

 

[kimothai]

A (Thai) society that considers maintenance an afterthought is buying the most maintenance intense piece of machinery on the face of the earth.  I wish them luck.

[3STTW]

I can't figure out the tactical necessity or where they intend to operate these subs. The Gulf of Thailand is <80m deep (mostly 0-60m) so they would be sitting ducks for any half-decent frigate/destroyer/ASW plane.

There's deeper water out in the South China Sea where their only potential enemy would be... guess who.

Nope. Paperweight. All I see is a lot of small dick energy, just like those expats in their Raptors.

 

 

[dinsdale]

3 yrs to build a sub is slow. My guess is most of that time will be testing the as yet unused engine if it's even been built. What a farce. 10's of billions of baht for what? Got conned by the the CCP. 

Edited May 31 by dinsdale

[cowellandrew]

Google didn't really help,

 

CHD620 diesel engine 

 

[The Theory]

Soon after it will be an artifact at Navy museum.  

[connda]

Really.  What are they going to do other then take it right down to the bottom like the HTMS Sukhothai?  That ship should have never sunk.  That fact it did speaks volumes.

[watchcat]

14 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

...and the enemy is ...?

 

Laos?

[ezzra]

Would have got it sooner and cheaper had the bought it on Aliexpress and probably with the same specifications...

Edited May 31 by ezzra

[stoner]

13 hours ago, cheerz said:

What logic,many Thai people living below poverty line & they spend millions baht on submarines. Feed the people why submarines when you have many poor who can't access a normal life. Who you defending from that you need submarines, talk about suffering brain fog 

 

 

 

 

 

 

billions.