[Text/Observer Wang Shichun] Thailand's political situation is unstable, and the issue of purchasing Chinese submarines has been repeated. According to a report on the website of the "Defense Post" on May 20, Thailand changed its previous decision to cancel the purchase of Chinese attack submarines, and the report said that the change of M was "surprising".
According to the report, this is because after the recent visit of Chinese military and shipbuilding industry personnel to Bangkok, the Ministry of Defense of Thailand decided to change its previous decision and "agreed in principle" to continue to purchase S26T submarines. The report also said that the Thai government has changed its attitude and now the submarine will be equipped with a Chinese made engine.
S26T submarine model
In 2016, the Thai military approved the project of introducing S26T submarines from China. In July 2016, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Admiral Bayi, announced that he had finalized the purchase of three "yuan" class submarines from China for $1 billion. The balance of the first submarine will be settled within 7 years. The payment for the remaining two ships is planned to be delivered within 11 years. The submarine purchase will become the largest project of the Thai Navy.
On May 5, 2017, CSIC and the Royal Thai Navy officially signed an agreement on the S26T submarine project, which will be built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Group. In 2018, the Thai Navy S26T submarine project was started in Wuchang Headquarters of Wuchang Shipbuilding Group.
However, this project has undergone various twists and turns since then. Thailand requires submarines to be equipped with MTU 396 diesel engines manufactured by Germany. However, because the EU has imposed restrictions on China's military hardware export, Germany has said that it cannot export engines to China, and Thailand's submarine project has reached a deadlock.
CSIC had previously proposed to replace German engines with CHD620 engines made in China, but the proposal was not accepted by the Thai Navy. According to the report, this is because Thailand believes that the CHD620 engine is not used on the boats of the Chinese submarine forces, so it may take some time to test in Thai waters.
In the process of delay, the political situation of Thailand has changed, bringing new variables to submarines. In September 2023, Thailand's cabinet was reorganized, and Sutin, who supported the reduction of military spending, took office as Thailand's defense minister. In October 2023, when visiting the headquarters of the Thai navy, Thailand's new defense minister, Sutin, said that the Thai navy might introduce a frigate to China instead of a submarine. At the same time, Sutin stated that the S26T submarine project had not been canceled, but was temporarily put on hold.
Sutin also said that the government would set up a committee to negotiate with China on the purchase of frigates, and proposed to China this week for consultation. Both parties are expected to reach a revised procurement contract in November. The Thai government and military are looking for solutions that do not harm the interests of the navy and satisfy the people. If the scheme of purchasing submarines or frigates is not feasible, the Thai Navy will also consider purchasing patrol ships.
The photo of Thai Defense Minister Sutin released by the Ministry of Defense of Thailand
The report also said that China had made some concessions to Thailand, providing Thailand with submarine simulators and necessary spare parts.
After delivery, this S26T attack submarine will be the first submarine in Thailand for more than 60 years, which will enhance the maritime capability of the Thai navy. However, the report said that this troubled submarine plan will face further challenges. The Southeast Asian country originally planned to purchase three submarines with US $1.05 billion, but the budget was cut so that the country could only purchase one submarine with US $403 million, and now the submarine is expected to be delivered by 2027.
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