China to Deliver Submarine to Thailand, Dismisses Sale to Indonesia Rumors

[webfact]

 

In a recent clarification, the Thai Navy has refuted circulating rumors about a change in the delivery of a new submarine from China to Indonesia, confirming the vessel is still destined for Thailand.

 

Assistant Navy Chief Adm Chonlathit Navanukroh spoke to press this weekend, ensuring the S26T Yuan-class submarine under construction by China’s Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. (CSOC) remains on course for delivery to Thailand.

 

The discussions surfaced amid online speculation suggesting a potential diversion of the delivery to Indonesia. However, Adm Chonlathit emphasized that no such change was contemplated by China, and the original deal with Thailand stands firm.

 

One significant shift in the deal, however, involves the submarine's engine. Originally slated to include a German-made MTU396 engine, due to trade embargoes imposed by Germany and the EU against China, the submarine will now be fitted with a Chinese-made CHD620 engine.

 

Despite concerns, this engine has been inspected and evaluated by Thai navy officials, who are satisfied with its performance metrics, comparing favorably to the initial German engine.

 

The ongoing construction of the submarine stands at 64% completion, with expectations to finalize and ferry the submarine to Sattahip Naval Base by early 2028, factoring in a 1,217-day extension to the original timeline. The cost of the submarine remains at a steep 12.4 billion baht, a figure that has stirred some debate within Thai governmental circles.

 

Adm Chonlathit is optimistic that the current Pheu Thai-led government will soon approve extended schedules for both construction and delivery, along with the engine overhaul.

 

This assurance, however, is met with cautious observation from Navy Chief Adm Adung Pan-iam, who anticipates potential delays or challenges in receiving final approvals from the government, commenting on the precarious timing with his impending retirement at the end of September.

 

The agreement continues to hold as a testament to the ongoing defense collaborations between China and Thailand, rowing against the undercurrent of online rumors and speculations.

 

File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-07-08

 

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[brianthainess]

Engine aside, who makes the generator, and batteries ??

[steven100]

23 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Engine aside, who makes the generator, and batteries ??

 

Lazada  

[redwood1]

The stupid sub story must be coming up on its 10 year birthday in a few more years....Boy mileage this story has gotten is amazing...

[brianthainess]

32 minutes ago, steven100 said:

 

Lazada  

Lazada do not make anything......

[Will B Good]

If it is coming from or via Lazada they could end with something like this for 36 billion........... 

[ronster]

Be out of date by time they get it !

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Adm Chonlathit emphasized that no such change was contemplated by China, and the original deal with Thailand stands firm.

Stands firm... it's been shaky from the start.

[ignore it]

If they can cut a better deal with Indonesia, 

It will go to Indonesia. 

 

Chinese rules are the same as the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition.

 

Rule 16.  A deal is a deal...until a better one comes along.

 

 

[OneZero]

Thailand's economy is in the crapper and this kind of decision-making ref priority spending is one of the reasons.

Edited July 8 by OneZero

[Rhys]

Oh... so the Chinese language use with the sub-instruments is still on...also the extra wok was approved for the galley...

[sherwood]

Just another well thought out waste of money by the uneducated at the expense of unrepresented general Thai populace.

Will there ever be an independent audit conducted to justify the full expenditure related to this debacle.

Not really asking a question. Struth.

Edited July 8 by sherwood

[Autonuaq]

How good are Chinese made military stuff according to the users?

 

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Engine aside, who makes the generator, and batteries ??

The engine is the generator.

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the original deal with Thailand stands firm.

 Legally, the deal is void.

China cannot deliver the contracted equipment.

Then again, since when has legality ever had anything to do with China's actions in the world.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, ignore it said:

If they can cut a better deal with Indonesia, 

It will go to Indonesia. 

Indonesia has plans already.

'Indonesia Submarine Capabilities,' Feb 17, 2023 national.org

• "Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder Perseroan Terbatas Penataran Angkatan Laut (PT-PAL) signed an agreement in February 2022 with the French defense contractor Naval Group to build two Scorpène-class conventional attack submarines in Surabaya with the possibility of ordering two more vessels. This procurement may replace the order of three additional Nagapasa-class submarines which Indonesia has been considering since 2019." 

[bamnutsak]

Where does delivery take place?

 

I'm thinking in China, with Thai Navy personnel responsible for navigating the boat to Thailand.  

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

this engine has been inspected and evaluated by Thai navy officials, who are satisfied with its performance metrics, comparing favorably to the initial German engine.

How is that possible when there is no such operational engine in China's sub fleet?

• "The CHD620 engine has not been used in any submarine, including those in China’s fleet"

"Thailand Reverses Decision on Canceled Chinese Submarine Procurement', Joe Saballa May 20, 2024

https://www.thedefencepost.com

[harryviking]

Seems like The Thai government is blind deaf and dumb at times. Haven't they found out yet that a Chinese sub will most probably be a grave chamber for those onboard?? Chinese quality on these subs are already famous for all the problems they have! OR....is the purchase order followed by that famous brown envelop....🙄🙄

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

The engine is the generator.

Don't be daft, the Engine runs the generator just like your car or M/C. Generators do not turn by themselves, unless connected to a battery and that would completely defeat the object. 

[brianthainess]

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

If it is coming from or via Lazada they could end with something like this for 36 billion........... 

And that no doubt is made in China....

[Crossy]

23 minutes ago, harryviking said:

Seems like The Thai government is blind deaf and dumb at times.

 

But they sure play a mean pinball!!

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, Rhys said:

Oh... so the Chinese language use with the sub-instruments is still on...also the extra wok was approved for the galley...

I hear it comes with a free bag of moon cakes and fortune cookies...

[Selatan]

49 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

How is that possible when there is no such operational engine in China's sub fleet?

• "The CHD620 engine has not been used in any submarine, including those in China’s fleet"

"Thailand Reverses Decision on Canceled Chinese Submarine Procurement', Joe Saballa May 20, 2024

https://www.thedefencepost.com

Pakistan's Hangor class submarines use CHD620 engines. Hangor class submarines are of the same class of submarines ordered by Thailand.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangor-class_submarine

 

Quote

Propulsion

4 x CSOC CHD620 diesel engines Stirling-powered air-independent propulsion

 

The CHD620 is a licensed version of the German MTU 396. China had produced CHD620 engines for export to Germany.

 

https://www.defensemirror.com/news/35501/Chinese_Submarine_Engine_is_a_Licensed_produced_German_Powerplant__Thai_Navy_Chief

 

Quote

"Previously, the Navy did not make the disclosure as it was waiting for approval from China. China has just approved its disclosure, China produced the CHD620 engines for Germany," Adm Adung said.

 

Edited July 8 by Selatan

[digger70]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Stands firm... it's been shaky from the start.

It's Very Firm,If they change to Indo they will have some trouble with the Return of Bonuses I would think.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, digger70 said:

It's Very Firm,If they change to Indo they will have some trouble with the Return of Bonuses I would think.

Non-returnable deposits...

[PETERTHEEATER]

13 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Don't be daft, the Engine runs the generator just like your car or M/C. Generators do not turn by themselves, unless connected to a battery and that would completely defeat the object. 

Yes. I could have been clearer. The engine drives the generator which produces electricity to charge the battery which uses the stored electricity to power the electric motor which turn the propeller to propel the sub. The engine nees air so, presumably, it will only be run when on the surface or using a 'snorkel'. 

Maybe, ,in this design, it is also coupled to a gearbox to propel the sub on the surface where it will spend most of its time in RTN service.😀