Search Results for: Chinese submarine

  • Thailand News

    Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine

    The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…

  • Thailand News

    Thai navy won’t buy Chinese submarine switcheroo, must have German engine — PM Prayut

    No engine, no cigar. That’s the hard line Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha set on Monday regarding the navy’s deal to purchase a Chinese submarine without the most important part — the engine. If China doesn’t include the German-made engine as stated in the purchase agreement, then it’s “Hasta la vista, baby.” “What do we do with a submarine with…

  • Politics News

    Navy defends their purchase of 2 new Chinese submarines

    “…disputes involving territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea have been ongoing, with major powers getting involved” After coming under criticism over the weekend over the decision to go ahead with the purchase of 2 Chinese submarines, the Royal Thai Navy faced the media yesterday. The hashtag #PeopleSayNoToSubs has been trending since the budget allocation was passed by…

  • Politics News

    Royal Thai Navy front media today to explain purchase of 2 Chinese submarines

    After the outcry over a house budget committee’s decision to approve the purchase of another 2 Chinese submarine’s last week, the Royal Thai Navy will front the media today to explain the controversial 22.5 billion baht acquisition. A Royal Thai Navy source has told Thai PBS World that “a clarification is necessary”, because members from the Pheu Thai party had…

  • Thailand News

    Thai Cabinet to decide on Chinese-built submarine purchase

    The Thai Cabinet is set to make a final verdict regarding the purchase of a Chinese-built submarine, stated Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The decision comes after the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the use of a Chinese engine for the submarine and recommended extending the contract. Sutin is expected to discuss the matter further with Royal Thai Navy (RTN)…

  • Thailand News

    Submarine surprise: RTN dives into new era with Chinese-licensed German engine at 117th celebration

    Royal Thai Navy (RTN) chief Admiral Adung Phan-iam revealed today at an event celebrating the 117th anniversary of the RTN that the Chinese-licensed version of a German submarine engine is already in use and it matches the one desired for the submarine being built for the RTN. He was referring to the CHD620 engine, a licensed Chinese-made version of the…

  • Thailand News

    Thai submarine to be powered by Chinese engine following German withdrawal

    In a recent development, an American naval source revealed that a panel is expected to recommend a Chinese-designed engine for the Thai submarine as a replacement for the original German one intended for the under-construction S26T Yuan-class submarine in China. This comes on the heels of a committee chaired by the navy’s chief-of-staff, Adm Chonlathis Navanugraha, unofficially proposing the use…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand to consider Chinese engines for S26T Yuan submarine

    The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) yesterday revealed it is considering buying Chinese-made engines for the S26T Yuan-class submarine after complications in purchasing the said technology from Germany. Thailand originally turned down the offer of using Chinese-made engines for the Chinese submarine the Thai Government approved to buy in 2017 in favour of using German-made engines. But since the German government…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand strikes new submarine deal with China

    Thailand and China finally wrapped up negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) much-anticipated purchase of a Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam announced today that the agreement is now awaiting the final nod from the Thai Cabinet. “If approved, we will promptly amend the deal with the Chinese manufacturer.” Admiral Adoong expects the submarine to be…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations

    Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand in talks with China to swap submarine for naval vessels

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang is near finalising discussions with China to acquire alternative naval vessels instead of a submarine, aiming to conclude the talks by the end of this month. The negotiations began following Klungsang’s recent trip to China, where he introduced the proposal. China has shown openness to Thailand’s request to purchase two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) or a…

  • Thailand News

    Sutin visits China for submarine acquisition talks

    Sutin Klungsang, the Minister of Defence, along with other related agencies, embarked on a trip to China on Thursday to discuss with the Chinese private sectors and other concerned agencies regarding the anticipated acquisition of a submarine for Thailand. The meetings were held to assess whether the procurement process should proceed or be abandoned and to comprehend its potential implications.…

  • Thailand News

    Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension

    A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…

  • Thailand News

    Pheu Thai government opts for Chinese frigate

    An unexpected turn of events saw the Pheu Thai-led government opting for a Chinese-made frigate over a submarine, after a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the original submarine purchase. The shift in decision came on the heels of China‘s inability to get the German-made MTU 396 engine for the submarine, as specified in the 2017 agreement. China’s suggestion of using…

  • Thailand News

    Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…

  • Thailand News

    Submarine snag: Thai prime minister dives into talks with China

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for talks with the Chinese government regarding the delay in the delivery of a commissioned Chinese submarine to Thailand. The submarine in question, an S26T Yuan-class model, was initially planned to reach Thailand last month. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery has been postponed until April of the coming year. China…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand considers barter trade with China for submarine amid procurement issues

    The Defence Minister of Thailand revealed that the government is considering various alternatives, including a barter trade arrangement or the purchase of fertilisers from China, to resolve the ongoing issues concerning the procurement of a submarine for the navy. Sutin Klungsang spoke on the matter at a seminar discussing Thai security and geopolitical challenges, hosted by Rangsit University’s College of…

  • Thailand News

    Sub-merging optimism: Thai’s submarine engine deal with Germany and China

    The Thai government is hopeful of a renewed agreement with Germany and China, centring around the engine for a new submarine under construction in China. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang conveyed his confidence in a mutually beneficial deal between the three nations. The discourse involves the potential installation of a German-made engine in the Chinese manufactured submarine, as initially stipulated by…

  • Thailand News

    Blue Strike 2023 Thai-Chinese naval exercise underway, navy commits to sunken ship recovery

    In the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Chon Buri in the Sattahip district, a naval training exercise named Blue Strike 2023 is in full swing. This bilateral exercise between the naval forces of Thailand and China is a seven-day event, which started on Sunday, September 3 and is scheduled to wrap up on Sunday, September 10. This exercise…

  • Technology News

    China offers engine substitutes for Thai submarine project with benefits

    Chinese authorities have committed to meeting three conditions concerning warranty, compensation, and safety if the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) opts for a Chinese-produced engine to replace a German-made one for an S26T Yuan-class submarine being assembled in China, according to Navy commander Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet. Following a recent meeting with China’s navy chief and defence minister, Adm Choengchai revealed that…

  • Politics News

    Thailand’s submarine engine talks stall again

    Thailand’s submarine engine talks have stalled again. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has still not decided on how to power an S26T Yuan-class submarine being assembled in China. The choice remains the same – a Chinese-made engine or an unobtainable German-made one. Germany’s embargo on sales of military equipment, which it initiated in the wake of WWII, prevented the sale…

  • Thailand News

    Submarine purchases could sink over engine debate

    Controversy surrounds plans over the plan for three submarine purchases as officials debate which engine is suitable to power the subs. The S26T Yuan-class submarine that Thailand has been in the slow process of purchasing since April was originally planned to be powered by a German engine. Now, factions of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are debating if a Chinese-made engine…

  • Thailand News

    MP questions submarine purchase from China, says it will be delivered without an engine

    A MP from the Pheu Thai Party claims that the submarine that the government recently brought from China will be delivered without an engine after issues with a German supplier. The MP, and also Pheu Thai party leader, Yuttapong Charasathien, is criticising the 12.42 billion baht submarine purchase from a Chinese firm, saying the “deal lacked transparency”. Yuttapong says the…

  • Bangkok News

    China proposes to donate two used submarines to Thai Navy after problems in purchase deal

    The Royal Thai Navy is reportedly in talks with China about receiving two decommissioned military submarines. But apparently, the offer is on the table because there was a problem with ordering parts for the submarine currently being assembled by China for Thailand, according to the Bangkok Post. The used submarines would be used for training while Thailand waits for its…

  • World News

    Indonesian submarine salvage efforts called off

    After the tragic search for Indonesia’s missing submarine ending in finding it had sunk with no survivors April 21, the government has officially ended attempts to salvage the sub. The KRI Nanggalla 402 was engaging in live torpedo trainings but disappeared in April with 53 crew members aboard. Days of frantic searches and hopes for survivors came to a close…

  • Thailand News

    Navy starts “Thai Submarines” Facebook page following last year’s controversy

    After much criticism last year over plans to purchase submarines, the Royal Thai Navy launched the new Facebook page “Thai Submarines” which a spokesperson says is intended to provide accurate information about Navy submarines. Posts on the page outline the history of Navy submarines, including a photo of Thailand’s first submarine which was in service from 1938 to 1951. The…

  • Politics News

    Government postpones controversial submarines deal

    With a recent poll revealing that one of the public’s biggest concerns is the government’s decision to spend billions of baht on 2 submarines, many will welcome the news that officials have decided to shelve those plans… for now. If not the polls, the outrage on social media was a good indication about the public mood over the matter. The…

  • Politics News

    Democrats say ‘no’ to submarine proposal

    Democrats give a hard “no” to the proposed plan to go ahead with the purchase of 2 submarines from China said to have a price ticket of 22.5 billion baht. They say the money would be better spent on coronavirus relief efforts rather than on new submarines for the Royal Thai Navy, according to the party’s deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi.…

  • Thailand News

    Thai army takes delivery of Chinese battle tanks

    Thailand’s Army has taken delivery of Chinese tanks and armoured personnel carriers, just three months after receiving armoured infantry vehicles from the US. The army received 10 shiny new tanks and 38 armoured personnel carriers from China. All the hardware was taken to the Adisorn Cavalry Centre in Saraburi province for inspection. The government hasn’t officially acknowledged its Chinese acquisitions…

  • Business News

    Phuket tourism market eyed for semi-submarine pilot

    PHUKET: Looking to build on its recent successful launch in Malaysia, one Korean marketeer is now eying the Phuket and Phang Nga marine leisure markets for its simple yet innovative semi-submarine vessel.“The Penguin” was one of several interesting marine products that stood out at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show (see page 44 for more details about the event); To…