No Kickbacks In Purchase Of Systems: Thai Navy

[webfact]

No kickbacks in purchase of systems: Navy

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Navy yesterday denied there were irregularities in a Bt3.3-billion project to upgrade the weaponry systems on two frigates and a Bt553.5-million project to buy three utility vessels.

Navy Chief-of-Staff Admiral Jakchai Phucharoenyos, Admiral Thaweewut Pongpipat, a special adviser to the Navy, and Vice Admiral Pallop Tamisanon, assistant Navy chief-of-staff, held a press conference to dispute allegations raised by Democrat MPs during the censure debate on Monday.

The Opposition MPs alleged that Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat was behind the irregularities in the projects and alleged the prices were too high, leading to a high level of kickbacks.

Jakchai said the Navy would not fail the public regarding the two projects and had carried out the projects taking public interest into account.

Thaweewut said the upgrading of naval and weaponry systems for the two frigates involved no irregularities.

Thaweewut said the Navy decided to change from a Sagem rotating decoy launching system to a fixed-based Terma SKWS decoy launching system from Saab because the Terma system had been considered the best for the frigates.

Thaweewut said it was not true, as alleged by the Democrat MPs, that the non-rotating system was obsolete. He said using a rotating system would require a lot of space and was more costly. It also affected the landing of helicopters.

Thaweewut said the rotating system would also obstruct the launching of decoys on the front side of the frigates and would cause a 50-per-cent drop in efficiency.

He insisted the Terma SKWS decoy-launching system could fire decoys at 360 degrees to protect the frigate against missiles and torpedo attacks.

Thaweewut explained that Saab gave a discount to the Royal Thai Navy as the service worked on a restricted budget. The budget of Bt3.3 billion was divided into two parts - Bt2.7 billion for the decoy system and Bt600 million for the decoys.

Thaweewut said the Terma system was Bt100 million lower than Sagem so Saab provided other navigation tools for the Navy free of charge. Thaweewut said it was impossible for the supplier of the system to pay a kickback of Bt1 billion as alleged by Democrat MP Sirichoke Sopha.

Pallop told the press conference the purchase of the three utility vessels had complied with the terms of reference. He said the supplier of the vessels had been selected because their vessels had met the criteria.

He said Cummins, the supplier, had certified that its navigation system would work well with the main engine of the vessels although they are of different brands.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 28

[asiawatcher]

Countries have Navies but other than chasing fishing vessels and drug courier boats why would they need to spend the absurd amounts upgrading weapons?

From the Global Security website...

"The Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) ambitions are not matched by its capabilities. This reflects the RTN's relative weakness in a military dominated by the army and economic constraints that have left the navy with huge obligations - such as its ineffective aircraft carrier - and few operational vessels. However, Thailand's present strategic posture does not require a large fleet - merely enough ships to maintain a regular presence in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand / South China Sea Gulf to protect national offshore and maritime interests and to enforce sovereignty.... The RTN has limited capability to carry out its primary mission of providing seaward defence in the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea and Andaman Sea. This capability is largely defined by the absence of any serious external maritime threats beyond countering piracy, narcotics, arms and people smuggling and fishery protection."

[FOODLOVER]

Same people that wanted the subs, right? How's that aircraft carrier working out boys? Got some planes that can land on it yet?

[osiboy]

Same people that wanted the subs, right? How's that aircraft carrier working out boys? Got some planes that can land on it yet?

after we repair the runway we will be using it to fly some of the rice here from issan on 747s before giving it to china as a complete package in exchange for 100km of high speed rail track .

Capt PUGWATIWASH

[h90]

Countries have Navies but other than chasing fishing vessels and drug courier boats why would they need to spend the absurd amounts upgrading weapons?

From the Global Security website...

"The Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) ambitions are not matched by its capabilities. This reflects the RTN's relative weakness in a military dominated by the army and economic constraints that have left the navy with huge obligations - such as its ineffective aircraft carrier - and few operational vessels. However, Thailand's present strategic posture does not require a large fleet - merely enough ships to maintain a regular presence in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand / South China Sea Gulf to protect national offshore and maritime interests and to enforce sovereignty.... The RTN has limited capability to carry out its primary mission of providing seaward defence in the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea and Andaman Sea. This capability is largely defined by the absence of any serious external maritime threats beyond countering piracy, narcotics, arms and people smuggling and fishery protection."

well the oil and gas in gulf does justify some strong forces.

[h90]

No kickbacks is of course nonsense. In every military purchase, in the west or the east are kickbacks. Almost always.

[ratcatcher]

Same people that wanted the subs, right? How's that aircraft carrier working out boys? Got some planes that can land on it yet?

I am sure, if they wanted to, they could go on a shopping trip to Uncle Sams used toyshop in Arizona and pick up a few appropriate models to make them happy. After all it's nearly Christmas.

[FOODLOVER]

Same people that wanted the subs, right? How's that aircraft carrier working out boys? Got some planes that can land on it yet?

I am sure, if they wanted to, they could go on a shopping trip to Uncle Sams used toyshop in Arizona and pick up a few appropriate models to make them happy. After all it's nearly Christmas.

I don't think we eat that much rice.

[Stradavarius37]

No kickbacks in purchase of systems: Navy

Translation - Of course we had kickbacks in the purchase of the systems, but <deleted> if you know whats good for you.

[chainarong]

Some rather harsh comments chaps , i have no doubt that everything is above board and its plain sailing from here on, tallyho we go, into the setting sun we sail, ho ho ho.me hearties.

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed

[Rancid]

Well if the Navy says there were no kickbacks this time then that is good enough for me. Their only goal is the protection of Thailands seas, personal gain would never even be a consideration to this valiant service.

[Pimay1]

Same people that wanted the subs, right? How's that aircraft carrier working out boys? Got some planes that can land on it yet?

Maybe the blimp if they ever get it in the air.

[Thai at Heart]

Is anyone going to call saab? Of find out who was the middle man importer on this deal?

[Bluespunk]

What the hell is a decoy?

[Humbugged]

Its kinda like saying...'my wife never worked in a bar'...

[Payboy]

Is anyone going to call saab? Of find out who was the middle man importer on this deal?

Same guys that made the Gripen deal happen, I would think.

[rubl]

I would like to use this opportunity to thank Navy Chief-of-Staff Admiral Jakchai Phucharoenyos, Admiral Thaweewut Pongpipat, a special adviser to the Navy, and Vice Admiral Pallop Tamisanon, assistant Navy chief-of-staff for their thorough explanation. I'm really satisfied and immensely relieved. Their ability to detail and justify expenditure even up to the last 25 satang is surely an example for not only military but any government agency.

Well done, gentlemen. If I could I would award each of you an extra star to take home and show mommy

[OzMick]

Thaweewut has me wondering why anybody bothered to develop a rotating system which is heavier, costlier, less efficient, can't work across the bow and interferes with helicopter landings when a fixed system is capable of covering 360 degree deployment. Could it be he forgot to mention response time?

Bluespunk - a decoy is something that pretends to be what it is not, leading to wrong decisions being made, which waste expensive resources. Much like the current PM.

[RickBradford]

Oh minister, I do wish you wouldn’t use words like bribery…"

"How would you describe these payments, Humphrey?"

"Oh well, that’s really quite simple. Retainers, personal donations, special discounts, miscellaneous outgoings… managerial surcharge, operating costs, ex-gratia payments, agents’ fees, political contributions, extra-contractual payments… introduction fees, commission fees, managements’ expenses, administrative overheads and advances against profit sharing…

"And how are these payments made?"

"Well, anything from a numbered account in a Swiss Bank to a fistful of used oncers slipped under the door of the gents."

Life imitates art, maybe?

[dinooz]

Australia has

signed a contract with Terma to supply THREE such decoy weapons for thier Hobart class destroyers for a mere $5 mill us.............something just doesnt add up.