Cambodia Dismisses Claims of Chinese Submarine Gift

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Phnom Penh has quietly brushed aside online speculation suggesting that Cambodia could receive a Chinese-built submarine originally meant for Thailand—a rumour that defence analysts and regional observers have widely discredited.

The claims emerged in Thai media and social platforms following a deadlock in Thailand’s long-delayed submarine deal with China. The vessel in question, a Chinese S26T Yuan-class submarine, has faced delivery issues due to the absence of German MTU-396 engines—barred under the European Union’s arms embargo on China. As a result, Bangkok must now decide whether to accept the submarine fitted with Chinese-made CHD620 engines or forfeit its substantial investment.

With little movement on that front, talk swirled in Thailand that the submarine might be transferred to Cambodia instead. But Cambodian officials have remained silent, and defence experts have dismissed the idea as unrealistic.

For one, Cambodia currently has no submarine capability—no operational history, infrastructure, or naval doctrine to support undersea warfare. As a developing country with limited defence resources, accepting such a sophisticated platform, even for free, would impose massive financial and technical burdens.

“The notion that Cambodia could simply take over a submarine built for another navy is absurd,” one Southeast Asian defence analyst told us. “It’s not a used car.”

Beyond the logistical challenges, the political optics are also deeply problematic. Any transfer would be seen in Thailand as a provocative move. The Thai-Cambodian relationship remains tense, coloured by historic territorial disputes and nationalist sensitivities. A submarine handover could be interpreted as a deliberate provocation—or worse, a message of Chinese favouritism in a region where Beijing claims neutrality.

Although China maintains close ties with both nations, its “ironclad” friendship with Cambodia is a well-known sore point in Thai political discourse. A transfer of this kind would deepen suspicions that China is undermining Thailand’s strategic interests in favour of a more compliant neighbour.

In reality, China is unlikely to offer, and Cambodia is unlikely to accept, a high-profile military platform tied to another country’s failed deal. As the Royal Thai Navy now leans toward accepting the submarine with Chinese engines, the rumour appears to have run its course.

For Phnom Penh, the message is clear: Cambodia is not in the business of accepting cast-offs—especially ones that risk stirring regional tension.

-2025-05-23