Yuan-class S26T. File photo courtesy of Defence Security Asia

 

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has inked a fresh agreement with Chinese defence contractors to revive Thailand's delayed submarine project. The contract was signed on Tuesday at China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) headquarters in Beijing, following Thai cabinet approval on August 5. This move marks a significant step forward after disputes over engine specifications stalled progress.

 

The initial contract was a government-to-government arrangement signed in 2017, valued at 13.5 billion baht. The procurement project encountered issues due to an export restriction on the German-made MTU396 diesel engines, imposed in 2021. The revised deal now includes using a Chinese CHD620 diesel engine, ensuring the continuation of building the Yuan-class S26T submarines.

 

Representing the Thai government, Adm Jirapol Wongwit, commander-in-chief of the RTN, finalised the agreement with CSOC's executive vice president, Liu Song. Under the new terms, the construction timeline has been extended by 1,217 days, aiming for the first submarine's delivery by late 2028. This adjustment allows significant design changes to accommodate the new engine technology.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Thai Navy signs new submarine contract with China, resolving delays.
• German engines replaced by Chinese models after export restrictions.
• Delivery of the first submarine is pushed to late 2028.

Related Stories:

 

Thai Navy Agrees to Install Chinese Engine in Its New Submarine

Submarine Saga: Phumtham Greenlights Thai Navy’s Chinese Sub Purchase

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-19

 

 

 

Admiral to 5 year old son: "Someday, these may be your submarines to tie up at some dock. Or your son's."

Man this sub has been a cash cow that puts all other cash cows to shame like the  ADE 651 and GT200 hand held drug detector fraud.

 

Sign sub contract, untold millions in kicbacks roll in.....Then there are problems with long delays....Then the next group of officials can get in on the kickbacks when a new contact needs to be signed...Wash rise repeat....Repeatedly...

I dont see how Thailand needs a sub the gulf of Thailand averages 40 - 80 metres deep with 80 being the deepest (the sub is 9.2 mtrs high) making it very easy to detect from a plane or helicopter even if sitting on the bottom.

 

Fast patrol boats would have been a better option more practicable and a lot cheaper.

6 minutes ago, Bannoi said:

Fast patrol boats would have been a better option more practicable and a lot cheaper.

Less to skim off... cheaper won't do.

😫Oh dear...havent the Thais been following what has happened with lots of the Chinese arms quality?? And a sub in the Thailand gulf?? 🤪 Is this another story about huge kick-backs that the Chinese often use to be able to sell their garbage???

My question is this. If the extremely toxic and dangerously timid army were unwilling to take any risks whatsoever, with regard to Covid, why are they spending so many billions on submarines? Obviously there is some risk in operating subs, and even more risk if as they say, they are purposed to protect against terrorist threats and any threat in the South China Sea. The real budget is what? And the real cost for the subsequent two? 

 

The Chinese ships and subs are likely poorly made. Thankfully the Chinese navy is incapable of traveling more than 1,500 km., in ideal conditions. Likely more like 600 km. in war conditions. And they have very few deep sea ports. Their navy is a threat only to their smaller neighbors. Though they are working hard to improve that, and it's just a matter of time. 

 

Thai naval forces have not operated submarines for over 60 years now, while neighboring countries, particularly those with a major dispute at sea with Thailand, such as Vietnam, are all equipped with modern submarines. Looks like they are willing to take a huge risk with the treasury. Why were they so timid with Covid?

 

This government is a whirlpool of conflicting loyalties and interests. It's leader has to manage those interests, and effectively buy the loyalties of the various parts of the armed forces. The submarines are the price he has to pay for the navy supporting him. They will end up unusable and unaffordable, as did the aircraft carrier. There is no strategic justification for the submarines. There is really no military threat to Thailand, none of the countries with which it shares a land border have the capacity for anything other than the occasional cross border firefight. As with Cambodia now. If you look carefully at all the military procurement of recent years, they are all to support ambitions, and thus buy the support of the various rival groups within the armed forces. They simply do not add up to any sort of a coherent modernisation or re-equipment of what remains a largely obsolete, immobile and under trained force, able only to undertake the most mundane of garrison duties, whilst it's bloated leadership occupies itself with playing politics or their own largely unregulated business ventures.

On 9/19/2025 at 7:43 AM, webfact said:

to revive Thailand's delayed submarine project.

 

 

About time - it may now start revenue earning!

 

Underwater tourism to view coral reefs and marine life!

 

On 9/19/2025 at 7:43 AM, webfact said:

Yuan-class S26T submarines

Key Details of the S26T 

Design: The S26T is a modified export version of the Chinese Yuan-class (Type 039A/B) submarine.

Propulsion: It is equipped with a Stirling-type air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.

Purpose: The submarine is designed as an attack submarine for the RTN.

The RTN was initially hesitant but ultimately agreed after the engine passed a supervised test and reports confirmed its reliability from the Hangor-class submarines (a similar Chinese design) built for Pakistan.

Note:

China does not operate the Yuan-class S26T. It's like I own a Mercedes but sell you a Toyota. 

1 hour ago, harryviking said:

...that the Chinese often use to be able to sell their garbage???

What is it about this Chinese equipment that is "garbage"?

14 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What is it about this Chinese equipment that is "garbage"?

 

Wishful thinking 🙄

Looks like they are buying the floating version 🤔

 

2 hours ago, Bannoi said:

I dont see how Thailand needs a sub the gulf of Thailand averages 40 - 80 metres deep with 80 being the deepest (the sub is 9.2 mtrs high) making it very easy to detect from a plane or helicopter even if sitting on the bottom.

Another armchair ASW "expert"!

On 9/19/2025 at 7:43 AM, webfact said:

The contract was signed

with blue ink, I wonder... 

Does anyone know what happened to the Blimps that the government bought off the USA

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Looks like they are buying the floating version

It even has to sink when required and then surface/float again!

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

My question is this. If the extremely toxic and dangerously timid army were unwilling to take any risks whatsoever, with regard to Covid, why are they spending so many billions on submarines? Obviously there is some risk in operating subs, and even more risk if as they say, they are purposed to protect against terrorist threats and any threat in the South China Sea. The real budget is what? And the real cost for the subsequent two? 

 

The Chinese ships and subs are likely poorly made. Thankfully the Chinese navy is incapable of traveling more than 1,500 km., in ideal conditions. Likely more like 600 km. in war conditions. And they have very few deep sea ports. Their navy is a threat only to their smaller neighbors. Though they are working hard to improve that, and it's just a matter of time. 

 

Thai naval forces have not operated submarines for over 60 years now, while neighboring countries, particularly those with a major dispute at sea with Thailand, such as Vietnam, are all equipped with modern submarines. Looks like they are willing to take a huge risk with the treasury. Why were they so timid with Covid?

 

This government is a whirlpool of conflicting loyalties and interests. It's leader has to manage those interests, and effectively buy the loyalties of the various parts of the armed forces. The submarines are the price he has to pay for the navy supporting him. They will end up unusable and unaffordable, as did the aircraft carrier. There is no strategic justification for the submarines. There is really no military threat to Thailand, none of the countries with which it shares a land border have the capacity for anything other than the occasional cross border firefight. As with Cambodia now. If you look carefully at all the military procurement of recent years, they are all to support ambitions, and thus buy the support of the various rival groups within the armed forces. They simply do not add up to any sort of a coherent modernisation or re-equipment of what remains a largely obsolete, immobile and under trained force, able only to undertake the most mundane of garrison duties, whilst it's bloated leadership occupies itself with playing politics or their own largely unregulated business ventures.

Errrrr...February & March 2025 saw Chinese warships in the Tasman sea (international waters), off the East coast of Australia. Only Amerucans take China lightly. They still haven't learned from their Vietnam debacle.🙃🙃

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Note:

China does not operate the Yuan-class S26T. It's like I own a Mercedes but sell you a Toyota. 

 

Does the US sell Thailand aircraft with the latest and greatest of avionics and weaponry?

 

Every arms dealing country keeps the bestest for themselves, selling the reduced-capacity "export" version.

4 hours ago, harryviking said:

😫Oh dear...havent the Thais been following what has happened with lots of the Chinese arms quality?? And a sub in the Thailand gulf?? 🤪 Is this another story about huge kick-backs that the Chinese often use to be able to sell their garbage???

 

The Yuan class 039A is 77m long

 

According to an early assessment by the US Naval Institute, the Yuan class was primarily designed as "an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) platform capable of hiding submerged for long periods of time in difficult to access shallow littorals."

 

The Matchanu class S29T is the export version destined for Thailand.

34 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

The Yuan class 039A is 77m long

 

According to an early assessment by the US Naval Institute, the Yuan class was primarily designed as "an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) platform capable of hiding submerged for long periods of time in difficult to access shallow littorals."

 

The Matchanu class S29T is the export version destined for Thailand.

Reminds of The Beatles - We all live in a yellow submarine. A friend of mine once asked me what's the difference between his new vaccuum cleaner and a Thai admiral. He replied that his new vaccuum cleaner sucks, sucks and never fails. Whereas the Thai admiral f**ks, f**ks and never sails.

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

China does not operate the Yuan-class S26T. It's like I own a Mercedes but sell you a Toyota. 

 

I'm not sure that's a good analogy.  I'd rather have the Toyota.

Can be tied near the aircraft carrier, that hasn't sailed for 5 years

15 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Errrrr...February & March 2025 saw Chinese warships in the Tasman sea (international waters), off the East coast of Australia. Only Amerucans take China lightly. They still haven't learned from their Vietnam debacle.🙃🙃

China is a threat. No doubt their intentions are not noble. But, what can Thailand do about that? 

47 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

China is a threat. No doubt their intentions are not noble. But, what can Thailand do about that? 

Fair call & fair question. Order more Chinese subs no doubt.🙃🙃

14 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I'm not sure that's a good analogy.  I'd rather have the Toyota.

Yup. Unbreakable.🙃🙃

20 hours ago, Bannoi said:

I dont see how Thailand needs a sub the gulf of Thailand averages 40 - 80 metres deep (...)

 

Maybe they need them to patrol the Mekong River to counter a possible Khmer invasion... 😆 

On 9/20/2025 at 8:43 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

What is it about this Chinese equipment that is "garbage"?

Everything. 

On 9/20/2025 at 4:57 PM, Grumpy one said:

Does anyone know what happened to the Blimps that the government bought off the USA

And, can anyone remember the airships that were brought, supposed to be for the defense of the realm, where are they now

I just hope the Chinese sub deal turns out better than the last highly publicized joint venture Thailand did with Chinese builders:

 

Design and Construction Flaws Caused SAO Building Collapse

 

Not to mention this one: