Navy chief repeats call for submarine
Navy chief Adm Adung Phan-iam is repeating his call on Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang to approve the navy’s submarine procurement plan, after Mr Sutin retained his position following the latest cabinet reshuffle.
“The defence minister has promised to finalise the talks [with China] on submarine procurement as soon as possible,” Adm Adung said.
A source said Mr Sutin is due in China next month.
Adm Adung also said the navy had submitted its budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year before reiterating his call on Mr Sutin to “attach importance to protecting the nation’s maritime territory and interests”.
When asked if the navy is still planning to accept a frigate in lieu of a submarine, Adm Adung said the matter wasn’t included in the budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, though he said it may be included in the 2026 budget request.
He noted that the navy “has a very limited fleet of warships”, and that more ships are needed so the navy can carry out its duties properly.
After assuming the defence minister position in September last year, Mr Sutin announced that he would shelve the navy’s submarine procurement programme and push for a frigate instead.
The decision came following a protracted impasse over the choice of engine that would be fitted on the submarine Thailand had ordered.
The original agreement, signed in 2017 for a S26T Yuan-class submarine, stipulated a German-made diesel engine.
But the plan needed revision after
Germany refused to sell the engine to China as it is designated as a military/ defence item.
China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) offered to fit Chinese engines on the submarines, but t he navy decided against it as the engines have yet to undergo performance testing.
Mr Sutin is now looking to finalise talks with China on the plan to procure alternatives to the submarines.
He had earlier said that China was open to the proposal to procure either two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) or a frigate instead of a S26T Yuanclass submarine.
However, the proposal has raised concerns at CSOC, which has reportedly finished half of the submarine.