Navy Sources State That Buying Chinese Submarines is a Bad Idea

[Jacob Maslow]

Chonburi, Thailand - January 18, 2015: Navy Seal Team performing combat training in Military Parade of Royal Thai Navy

Members within Thailand’s Navy have strong doubts about the country buying submarines from China. News broke earlier in the week that Prawit Wongsuwon, the Defense Minister, would be in China on a three-day trip and would be discussing a possible deal to buy two Chinese submarines.

The deal would be valued at 36 billion baht for both submarines.

Navy sources state that there is a major internal concern within the navy that the submarines may not be reliable. The sources state that China does not have the experience needed for truly reliable submarines.

Spending 36 billion baht on unreliable submarines is not a wise choice, states sources. There is also a major concern that due to a lack of quality, long-term maintenance may be more costly.

European vessels are comparable in price and have a proven track record in terms of reliability. Navy sources fear that the Chinese submarines may be able to go under water for the first 4 or 5 years before design flaws cause them to be rendered useless.

Currently, no final deal has been made on where the country will buy submarines. General Prawit states that he has agreed in principle to the purchase and that he also plans to have joint training with China’s military.

-- 2015-04-09

[EnzoRippo]

All of us know that the purpose of the purchase is not to have usable submarines.

[Oziex1]

Theyre concerned they may be sub standard.

[CiaranO]

The poor navy seals in pictures look like Boy Scouts. Maybe invest in some uniforms first.

[Prbkk]

Australia makes some they might consider...unfortunately they make about as much noise as an AC/DC concert

[NongKhaiKid]

But if the boss wants Chinese ...?

[taony]

Why are they lined up like that in the photo? Is it a practice how to shoot their mates in the ass?

[jerojero]

And how deep are the waters around Thailand?

[fatfather]

What's wrong with Chinese submarines? Even with major issues they dive perfectly

Fatfather

[ezzra]

That's because they have no where to park it, all the space is taken by that decrepit,

rusting bucket of an aircraft carrier and those airships that sprung a leak long time ago

and wouldn't fly no more...

[zydeco]

What's wrong with Chinese submarines? Even with major issues they dive perfectly

Fatfather

I think it's the issue of resurfacing that is causing doubts. Screen door on a submarine.

[geriatrickid]

Finally, some common sense surfaces. Why purchase submarines from a country that Thailand may soon be having to counter in regard to its expansionist policies?

The best submarines on the market for Thailand are the Dolphin class built by Germany. The Israelis have been outfitted by Germany and these are some of the best in the world. I suppose, with the current antagonistic relations with Germany, such a purchase may not be possible.

Germany also has strict rules on dealing with military dictatorships and anti-bribery regulations. Maybe if and when there is a return to civilian rule...............

[oneday]

Maybe they feel it's too much to pay for one of these...

[dinger]

What is Thailand going to do with submarines anyway? Sneak up on illegal fishing boats maybe?

[BFerearnk]

The poor navy seals in pictures look like Boy Scouts. Maybe invest in some uniforms first.

This is the PARADE uniform.

Please read well the report before posting.

[BFerearnk]

Why are they lined up like that in the photo? Is it a practice how to shoot their mates in the ass?

Once again, PARADE drill.

Please read well the report THKS

[harrry]

Australia makes some they might consider...unfortunately they make about as much noise as an AC/DC concert

Collins class were Swedish I believe.

They still caused the US Navy some embarresment in Hawaii with field excercises when they made rather a mess of the protected assets.

[soalbundy]

Buying submarines is a bad idea period. All that complaining by tax payers about rice subsidies seems a little redundant now. Tax money is always wasted but at least the rice subsidies went straight back into the Thai economy

[klauskunkel]

In light of the increasing friendship with Russia and Chin and the cooler relations with the US, the Thai Navy Seals have decided to drop their moniker and rename themselves as 'Royal Spetsnaz Panda Bears'.

[h90]

Finally, some common sense surfaces. Why purchase submarines from a country that Thailand may soon be having to counter in regard to its expansionist policies?

The best submarines on the market for Thailand are the Dolphin class built by Germany. The Israelis have been outfitted by Germany and these are some of the best in the world. I suppose, with the current antagonistic relations with Germany, such a purchase may not be possible.

Germany also has strict rules on dealing with military dictatorships and anti-bribery regulations. Maybe if and when there is a return to civilian rule...............

They discuss to buy from China, China has no expansionist policy......

Israel uses these submarines to equip them with nuclear warhead rockets.....

[h90]

Damn!

Even the top Thais cannot do corruption well.

Here's a tip.

Buy the Chinese junk. 5-6 years from now nobody will know where all the backhanders went. The sub sink and take all the evidence with them.

Bonus now. Walk away later.

No the gulf isn't deep enough to sink them.....

[ThaidaGwaii]

I fail to see why Thailand needs submarines...

[soalbundy]

I fail to see why Thailand needs submarines...

They don't but the generals need the kick backs

[wabothai]

Funny Photo: the boys paint their faces quite well , but their uniform and hat make for excellent targets. One in the head and one at the heart.

[Just1Voice]

Funny Photo: the boys paint their faces quite well , but their uniform and hat make for excellent targets. One in the head and one at the heart.

"Old School" was 2 in the chest, 1 in the head.

[JAG]

Why are they lined up like that in the photo? Is it a practice how to shoot their mates in the ass?

Once again, PARADE drill.

Please read well the report THKS

Wonder why parade drill involves lying down in the middle of the road?

[JAG]

Didn't Thailand buy some tanks from China a few years ago, and didn't they end up tipping them into the sea to form an artificial diving reef?

[tonray]

The poor navy seals in pictures look like Boy Scouts. Maybe invest in some uniforms first.

$1000 baht says you wouldn't survive 2 minutes in a fight with those boy scouts...555

[umbanda]

If China will buy something from Thailand, its smart enough to ask Thailand to buy something back...submarines or anything. China is not stupid to import cars, computers, oil, food, etc, etc, etc...to increase its debts and damage its own industry and employment numbers like many Western countries do. Give and take rules are fundamental for any country's economy to survive and grow, and the grow of BRIC's countries is based on that.

Indonesia is looking in getting into the BRIC market..and it is in its way.....Why not Thailand?

[apetley]

Finally, some common sense surfaces. Why purchase submarines from a country that Thailand may soon be having to counter in regard to its expansionist policies?

The best submarines on the market for Thailand are the Dolphin class built by Germany. The Israelis have been outfitted by Germany and these are some of the best in the world. I suppose, with the current antagonistic relations with Germany, such a purchase may not be possible.

Germany also has strict rules on dealing with military dictatorships and anti-bribery regulations. Maybe if and when there is a return to civilian rule...............

They discuss to buy from China, China has no expansionist policy......

Israel uses these submarines to equip them with nuclear warhead rockets.....

No expansionist policy?

Last I knew and read China has disputes with all it's neighbours in the South China Sea over the islands it covets.