Thai Navy's Submarine Plans Stalled Pending Feasibility Study

[webfact]

File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia

 

In a development that has left the Thai naval brass treading water, the proposed acquisition of a Chinese-built submarine remains in limbo as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced that a "viability study" is still underway.

 

This long-anticipated project, valued at 12.4 billion Thai Baht, concerns the procurement of a Yuan-class S26T submarine. Originally slated to feature a high-performance German-made MTU396 engine, the plan now includes a Chinese-made CHD620 engine due to unavailability issues.

 

The Defence Minister's announcement came in response to an inquiry from the navy’s top commander, Adm. Jiarpon Wongwit, who had been seeking clarity from Phumtham on the current status of the submarine project.

 

This conversation highlights ongoing uncertainty, especially since amendments have been proposed to the original purchase contract to accommodate the engine switch.

 

Phumtham, a new appointee to the Ministry of Defence, emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough "viability study" to ensure the decision aligns with Thailand's best interests.

 

The minister's careful stance reflects the still nascent stage of his tenure, despite taking over from the former defence minister Sutin Khlangsang, who had been involved in earlier discussions around this and similar defence procurements.

 

In the backdrop of this deliberation, the navy has been on edge. The current stalling points to deeper strategic considerations, particularly given that the S26T model in question mimics the Soviet-era Kilo-class submarines.

The budding relationship between Thailand and its Chinese counterparts in military technology purchases adds an intriguing angle to the narrative.

 

In a move that perhaps signalled a shift, predecessor Sutin Khlangsang had suggested the navy might pivot to acquiring a frigate instead of the problematic submarine.

 

This proposal was met with swift rejection by naval leaders, indicating a firm commitment within the navy to see the submarine project come to fruition, despite its hurdles.

 

The continuing ambiguity, compounded by the defence minister’s measured approach, leaves the submariners without a clear course.

 

The delay in finalising the decision has strategic implications, as this would mark Thailand’s first such purchase in over six decades.

 

As the study progresses and the high-stakes discussions unfold, the maritime watchers and defence analysts remain keen observers.

 

This situation underscores the nuanced intersection between military needs, international relations, and domestic governance, capturing attention both within Thailand and among its global partners.

 

The outcome of this deliberation could redefine the trajectory of Thailand's naval capabilities for years to come, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2024-11-28

 

 

[ChrisY1]

And 5 years down the road to submarines....and a feasibility study to be carried out! What!

[Artisi]

2 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

And 5 years down the road to submarines....and a feasibility study to be carried out! What!

Well, you didn't think anyone would waste their precious time worrying about any hair-brained study, would you, especially considering it's all about what's in it for me and my mates 😉😉😉

[Gsxrnz]

Nobody in the entire English-speaking world uses the word "nascent", or knows what it means. 

[herfiehandbag]

4 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Nobody in the entire English-speaking world uses the word "nascent", or knows what it means. 

It means "just coming into existence".

 

I use it from time to time, along with other long words like wheelbarrow and marmalade.

 

In fact I am considering purchasing a wheelbarrow, to use in my nascent project to grow oranges in my garden, to make marmalade!

[Mr Meeseeks]

Tell me you don't know what you are doing without telling me you don't know what you are doing.

 

Meanwhile, in the UK, the 6th nuclear-powered Astute Class hunter-killer sub has just been launched. Probably the most advanced sub of its type in the World.

 

[Dcheech]

Hope they get things ironed out. I always thought it could be good fun for the family. Go Navy!

[lordgrinz]

I expect it be moored next to the useless aircraft carrier soon, or maybe lying on the bottom the ocean like the ill fated HTMS Sukhothai.

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

.and a feasibility study to be carried out!

 

Backhanders/extramoney/  Kick out the Chinese I'd say, and accept the loss.

[sqwakvfr]

Now I understand.  They are waiting for this combined submarine/fighter interceptor to be manufactured:

(For those in my age group you might recognize this photo as SkyDiver from the classic show from the 1970's UFO).

[edwinchester]

<deleted> me this is the farce that just keeps giving. Nearly eight years of running and now it's announced that a 'viability study' hasn't even been completed yet. Worthless clowns every one of them.

[mancub]

16 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

<deleted> me this is the farce that just keeps giving. Nearly eight years of running and now it's announced that a 'viability study' hasn't even been completed yet. Worthless clowns every one of them.

Worthless and they know it. yet also very wealthy......which is why they pursue and continue to further their uselessness !

[OneMoreFarang]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

a "viability study"

That kind of makes sense before spending huge amounts of money.

 

I hope that study and its participants will be concerned about Thailand's security and not so much about possible commissions... 

[Grumpy one]

Green Peace has started a company producing submarines

[khunjeff]

And so the comedy continues.

[Mburo]

This story is almost as long running as the policeman Jok saga. 

[NatureFilm]

I thought there were better ways to spend the precious money 

[Peterphuket]

4 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

And 5 years down the road to submarines....and a feasibility study to be carried out! What!

They are lucky they have not been attacked in that time....it would be something, being attacked without possessing submarines, then you have lost the war in advance.

[jippytum]

Thailand having another submarine is as feasible and useless as having an ashtray on a motorbike. 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, jippytum said:

feasible and useless as having an ashtray on a motorbike. 

 

Here in Thailand, that might be a bonus for some riders, I see smoking riders all the time.

[CANSIAM]

Is there a Sonar Training facility here ? I'm sure there are some bright sailors here ready to take the Con, better keep them Subs in the Andaman, I believe the maximum depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 300 ft.  

[Purdey]

Looks like the government has just realized the economic pickle it is in and told someone desperately, "Get rid of the project."

[RichardColeman]

Probably still arguing about where the windows go in it

[Patong2021]

3 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Tell me you don't know what you are doing without telling me you don't know what you are doing.

 

Meanwhile, in the UK, the 6th nuclear-powered Astute Class hunter-killer sub has just been launched. Probably the most advanced sub of its type in the World.

 

 

 

Hopefully, it won't leak and be mechanically unreliable like the submarines the UK cheated Canada with.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

In a development that has left the Thai naval brass treading water, the proposed acquisition of a Chinese-built submarine remains in limbo as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced that a "viability study" is still underway.

BS... they've already placed the order and paid the deposit.

[Patong2021]

9 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Probably still arguing about where the windows go in it

Or perhaps where the VIP cabins will be located and whether or not there is room for a soaking tub, and extra large mattress.

[klauskunkel]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Phumtham, a new appointee to the Ministry of Defence, emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough "viability study" to ensure the decision aligns with Thailand's best interests.

Thaksin flexing to show the military what's in their best interest.

[newbee2022]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia

 

In a development that has left the Thai naval brass treading water, the proposed acquisition of a Chinese-built submarine remains in limbo as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced that a "viability study" is still underway.

 

This long-anticipated project, valued at 12.4 billion Thai Baht, concerns the procurement of a Yuan-class S26T submarine. Originally slated to feature a high-performance German-made MTU396 engine, the plan now includes a Chinese-made CHD620 engine due to unavailability issues.

 

The Defence Minister's announcement came in response to an inquiry from the navy’s top commander, Adm. Jiarpon Wongwit, who had been seeking clarity from Phumtham on the current status of the submarine project.

 

This conversation highlights ongoing uncertainty, especially since amendments have been proposed to the original purchase contract to accommodate the engine switch.

 

Phumtham, a new appointee to the Ministry of Defence, emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough "viability study" to ensure the decision aligns with Thailand's best interests.

 

The minister's careful stance reflects the still nascent stage of his tenure, despite taking over from the former defence minister Sutin Khlangsang, who had been involved in earlier discussions around this and similar defence procurements.

 

In the backdrop of this deliberation, the navy has been on edge. The current stalling points to deeper strategic considerations, particularly given that the S26T model in question mimics the Soviet-era Kilo-class submarines.

 

The budding relationship between Thailand and its Chinese counterparts in military technology purchases adds an intriguing angle to the narrative.

 

In a move that perhaps signalled a shift, predecessor Sutin Khlangsang had suggested the navy might pivot to acquiring a frigate instead of the problematic submarine.

 

This proposal was met with swift rejection by naval leaders, indicating a firm commitment within the navy to see the submarine project come to fruition, despite its hurdles.

 

The continuing ambiguity, compounded by the defence minister’s measured approach, leaves the submariners without a clear course.

 

The delay in finalising the decision has strategic implications, as this would mark Thailand’s first such purchase in over six decades.

 

As the study progresses and the high-stakes discussions unfold, the maritime watchers and defence analysts remain keen observers.

 

This situation underscores the nuanced intersection between military needs, international relations, and domestic governance, capturing attention both within Thailand and among its global partners.

 

The outcome of this deliberation could redefine the trajectory of Thailand's naval capabilities for years to come, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2024-11-28

 

 

It would be much cheaper to borrow a Chinese sub incl staff from time to time for a pleasurefull trip with wifes and mattresses 🥰

[kiwikeith]

3 hours ago, Dcheech said:

Hope they get things ironed out. I always thought it could be good fun for the family. Go Navy!

Maybe they could ask Putin for a sub, I'm sure he's got plenty of old boilers in moth balls that would be ideal to play with in the shallows of the Gulf of Thailand, they could be double purpose and used as prawn boats at night.

[harryviking]

Oh dear me. Buying a sub from a country where they mostly sink after a short while! Suicide subs!!! Are they completely ignorant in the Navy???