When Are China’s Submarines Coming to Thailand?

[webfact]

When Are China’s Submarines Coming to Thailand?

By Prashanth Parameswaran

 

2017 could finally see some progress on a high-profile deal.

 

BANGKOK: -- In a surprise move back in June 2015, Thailand’s navy elected to buy three submarines from China in what would be one of the most expensive single acquisitions in the country’s history (See: “How Did China Just Win Thailand’s New Submarine Bid?”).

 

Since then, although the debate about the wider strategic significance of the billion-dollar deal has continued, the proposed purchase itself has been repeatedly delayed, thereby further postponing the country’s dream of acquiring a capability it has lacked for more than six decades (See: “Thailand Eyes Submarine Fleet”).

 

As we move into 2017, however, indications are we could finally see some progress on this front. As I’ve detailed previously for The Diplomat, the initial plan to purchase the submarines floated in mid-2015 was put on hold after fierce domestic opposition and international scrutiny.

 

Full story: http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/when-are-chinas-submarines-coming-to-thailand/

 

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2017-01-20

[optad]

Gripens that fall out of the sky, one re constituted tub for a carrier and now three chinese submarines, which is probably more about China than Thailand.

Anyhow, practice suggests these quantities spend more time in maintenance than service .....thankfully.

[Somtamnication]

They better hurry up; many farangs swimming in the ocean, many Burmese coming to build Thailand's buildings and infrastructures. 

[Rhys]

...training 101..close and secure the hatch counter clock wise before submerging.

 

 

[ezzra]

Probably a cheap copy of another country's sub.... it was said that only now,

the Chinese has ' invented '  finally, with their own ball pen, so it fair to think

that the technology of those subs are most likely stolen,,,

as for how those subs contract job was awarded to the Chinese without the

public to know or other countries and companies to put in a bid, remain a mystery....

[Brer Fox]

If the purchase goes ahead the money printing machines will need to be cranked up. The budget is well and truly in deficit and such a multi billion baht deal will only exacerbate a worsening current account deficit. Then there's all the other expenditure like high speed trains to pay for and the infrastructure grand plans and the rice subsidies; not to mention the all the bribes and internal kickbacks that goes with those deals. Where does the money come from when these military economists go on a spending spree? Or does the Country just go further into debt.

[optad]

1 minute ago, Brer Fox said:

If the purchase goes ahead the money printing machines will need to be cranked up. The budget is well and truly in deficit and such a multi billion baht deal will only exacerbate a worsening current account deficit. Then there's all the other expenditure like high speed trains to pay for and the infrastructure grand plans and the rice subsidies; not to mention the all the bribes and internal kickbacks that goes with those deals. Where does the money come from when these military economists go on a spending spree? Or does the Country just go further into debt.

 

All true, but where is the need for this metal?  

 

120 dollar drones will sink subs going forward anyway/ Australian 12 * 4.5 billion dollar tubs [each] included. 

[Brer Fox]

25 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

They better hurry up; many farangs swimming in the ocean, many Burmese coming to build Thailand's buildings and infrastructures. 

Even if they can afford to buy the subs they probably do not have the money to buy the torpedoes (like the aircraftless aircraft carrier). The only possible use they would have for the subs would be to play war games by blowing invading foreign fishing boats out of the water. 

[klauskunkel]

 

[DILLIGAD]

Are the surrounding waters of Thailand deep enough for a sub?


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[khwaibah]

4 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

Are the surrounding waters of Thailand deep enough for a sub?


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One for sure but its at the bottom of the sea.  http://www.thaiwreckdiver.com/lagarto.htm

[Thechook]

When are they getting the planes for the carrier and when is it going to actually sail.  Like children, they want all these toys and never play with them.

[rijb]

11 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

Are the surrounding waters of Thailand deep enough for a sub?


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Probably deep enough on land, during flooding season.

[DILLIGAD]

 
Probably deep enough on land, during flooding season.

Didn't think of that!
Maybe a new BKK > Korat link???


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[PatOngo]

21 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

Are the surrounding waters of Thailand deep enough for a sub?
 

 

Well let's get the subs here and find out!

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

40 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

Are the surrounding waters of Thailand deep enough for a sub?


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No and that is the problem. The waters on the Phuket side is deep but in the gulf its too shallow (on average 40 m deep) for effective operations. But as we know these subs are toys for the generals so they build the subs base in the gulf and not on the deep ocean side (yes the sub base/HQ has already been build or are in the process of completion - they started to build it in +- 2012/13 - +- B 500 million). I mean how can we expect the admirals and general show off their new toys when they are so far away.

[PaulBraveheart]

Why does Thailand NEED a submarine fleet?

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

When Are China’s Submarines Coming to Thailand?

Maybe the navy already has them on shakedown patrol off the coast of Hawaii.

[Retiredandhappyhere]

Sounds like the USS Lagarto sub will soon be having company at the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand. 

[sanukjim]

Could you imagine going to sea on a Submarine commanded and crewed by Thais.I bet that The UK bookies will give you odds of how many hours under water before a disaster happens.

[sinbin]

1 hour ago, PaulBraveheart said:

Why does Thailand NEED a submarine fleet?

They don't. As said, the waters are not deep enough for submarines. It's all about face. If your neighbours have them then Thailand has to have them. Vietnam and Indonesia have Russian 'Kilo' subs. So not to be outdone................

The RTN  claim that the subs will be effective against people smuggling activities. But in fact Thailand would be better served with a fleet of fast patrol boats.

 

Quote

Even if the RTN wants to catch up with its neighbors, the bigger challenge will be the development of highly-skilled and experienced commanding officers and operators. Notwithstanding the fact that China will be providing training support, the RTN cannot produce either commanding officers with significant submarine experience or operators who can manage the complex systems overnight. Consequently, the RTN will face a situation whereby there is a lack of experience and expertise in the submarine fleet for several years. Given the instable political environment in Thailand, there is also an uncertainty as to whether there will be a sustained motivation by the government to develop operational capacity for submarines. As such, these S26T submarines may see little action as with Thailand’s aircraft carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/07/does-thailand-really-need-submarines/

[chilli42]

".... further postponing the country’s dream of acquiring a capability it has lacked for more than six decades ...".   What idiot wrote this?  It's the dream of an admiral or two , perhaps.  Maybe a few procurement officers who stand to gain.  So maybe it's the dream of a dozen people, hardly the country.  This money should be spent on improving the education system or bringing new capability to productive/competitive farming. 

[Ulic]

The only difference between men and boys is the price of there toys and when it

comes to the military the cost of their toys is off the charts.

[JAG]

Why does Thailand NEED a submarine fleet?

It doesn't.
The Navy would like one.

[mtls2005]

RTN sub-mariners have been on the outs since they staged an unsuccessful counter-coup, against Field Marshall Pibul, in 1951, aka: The Manhattan Rebellion.

 

The Manhattan Rebellion would make a brilliant action film, even though there are no ghosts, but doubt the "powers-that-be" would want the populace to learn about their history.

 

1951 was a vintage year for coups, by most estimates. Nothing like the old days.

 

 

[NCC1701A]

Future headline:

 

"Thai submarine commander blames ocean for lost of his sub."

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, PaulBraveheart said:

Why does Thailand NEED a submarine fleet?

 

That's the thing I love about these kinds of news articles. They go thru all the details about the plan and the purchase and the costs.

 

But not one sentence about what Thailand would actually do with submarines or why Thailand actually needs submarines.  Those kinds of details are lacking probably because legitimate answers to those questions don't really exist.

 

BTW, is Chaichana Kaewphimpha a typical Lao name?  It sounds more like a Thai name to me...

 

[FredNL]

They aren't manufactured in Malaysia, I asume.

Same thing as with the Chinese NGV busses... Probably impounded by Thai customs...

[elgordo38]

9 hours ago, optad said:

Gripens that fall out of the sky, one re constituted tub for a carrier and now three chinese submarines, which is probably more about China than Thailand.

Anyhow, practice suggests these quantities spend more time in maintenance than service .....thankfully.

As Thailand is a manpower country I think the problem is water proofing the holes in the side where the oars go out that power the boat. Another seems to have a problem with the huge rubber band drive unit. They cannot keep the tension on the huge rubber band that drives the propeller. The third one is being resigned it seems that all the instruction to operate it were in Chinese. Just a few minor glitches. 

[Beats56]

They have a whole lot of firetrucks sitting and rotting, a air craft carrier that is just a tourist attraction and now they want subs....for what? Must be nice to just waste money for nothing.