(Bangkok Comprehensive News) For 70 years, the Thai Navy has been unable to fulfill the dream of the submarine.The military is willing to abandon the Chinese submarine procurement project that encountered bottlenecks and purchase more expensive frigates. Some analysts said that Thailand's move may be to appease China's diplomatic measures.
The Thai National Defense Minister Su Ding announced on October 20 that the plan to suspend the purchase of the Chinese -made S26T submarine was because the EU's military reserve export restrictions on China, which caused the Chinese shipyard to purchase German MTUs made of German in accordance with the Thai Navy's contract,Type 396 diesel engine.
Thai Public Television reported on Thursday (October 26) that the frigates cost 14 billion baht (about S $ 530 million), 500 million baht than submarines.However, Su Ding believes that this is the "best way" to solve problems.He also said that the decision to adjust the plan rather than cancel is because of considering the strategic cooperation and trade relations between China and Thailand.
According to the National Journal, Su Ding said that the Prime Minister's social morality met with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing in October.
Reports pointed out that some analysts believe that the Thai government uses a submarine to change submarines to appease China with frigates, which can also fight for Thailand to negotiate more cost -effective submarine procurement plans with other countries.
Su Ding said at the time that the Thai Navy's submarine procurement plan was not canceled, and in addition to China, it would also be opened to other countries.
The first submarine in Thailand history was four small submarines purchased from Japan in 1938.The submarine retired in 1951.
In 1995, the Thai Navy requested that the government approved the purchase of two submarines from Sweden with 40 billion baht, but the Madexiang government put the procurement plan because the price was too high.
In 2010, the Navy proposed to the Abyci government to buy six second -hand submarines from Germany with 7.7 billion baht, but the plan was not approved.The military later proposed the plan again during the Yingla government, but the Ministry of Defense did not seek cabinet approval.
In April 2015, the military government led by Ba Yu agreed to the navy's plan to purchase three submarines.In 2017, the Cabinet approved the purchase of a S26T submarine from China for 13.5 billion baht and was scheduled to be delivered in 2024.The Bayu government approved two submarines for 22.5 billion baht in 2019.
Thai people were opposed to question the strategy needs of cost and purchase of submarines.However, the military insists that submarines need to protect the maritime interests of Thailand's total value of 24 trillion baht.
Although it was finally approved by the government, it was planned to be twists and turns.During the crown disease, the navy had to be reduced or returned some budget to the government.The Navy disclosed in February last year that the opportunity to successfully purchase German engines is slim.The official once considers the use of a medium -made engine, but the new government, which came to power after the election in May this year, insisted on using German engines.
According to the Bangkok Post, the "ship replacement" plan will cause considerable infrastructure to the navy, because many related projects of the submarine plan have been carried out, including the construction of amphibious transportation dock ships, submarine shipyards, submarinesBase, maintenance plants and infrastructure, test facilities and communication systems.The support system of the entire submarine plan costs 3.15 billion baht, which has invested 1.49 billion baht.
