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 discussions before the imminent expiration of an agreement between the two nations next month. Sutin observed that China’s willingness to participate in these talks is not yet confirmed.

Upon meeting with the RTN yesterday afternoon for dialogue preparation, the 62 year old defence minister reassured that the government is committed to securing the best possible deal and would not jeopardise the nation’s interests. He further clarified that these frigate negotiations pertain to revising the initial pact rather than amending the contract, hence the matter lies primarily between the RTN and the Chinese company.

The government’s choice to procure a Chinese frigate in lieu of a submarine, ordered in 2017, was made public last week. This decision was influenced by the discovery that the submarine could be equipped with a German engine as requested by Thailand.

However, this change has sparked controversy due to the estimated cost of 17 billion baht for the frigate, which is several billion more than the originally ordered submarine. This has led critics to question why Thailand should pay more when China has failed to fulfil its contractual obligations.

Sutin, emphasising the impossibility of China fitting the submarine with a German engine, stated that the Chinese frigate is estimated to cost roughly 14 billion baht. He further clarified that the initial 17 billion baht estimation was based on the price of a European-made frigate.

Frigate Negotiations

In response to queries concerning the RTN’s satisfaction with the change, given the preparations already made for the submarine, Sutin revealed that the frigate proposal was one of two backup plans the RTN had prepared if the submarine project fell through. The alternative proposal involved the purchase of an offshore patrol vessel (OPV), but the government ultimately chose the frigate.

As for the possibility of seeking a refund, Sutin stated that the government’s priority is to negotiate the submarine-to-frigate switch before considering other arrangements.

Move Forward Party list-MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn suggested on his Facebook page yesterday, October 24, that the optimal solution would be to demand a refund of the 7 billion baht paid for the submarine scheme along with a fine from China for breaching the contract. He further stated that the frigate or OPV is a decent alternative, but price, maintenance costs, spare parts, and other arrangements must be taken into consideration.

The RTN has been invited by the House committee to answer questions about the submarine procurement project tomorrow to keep the public informed, reported Bangkok Post.

Former election commissioner, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, detailed the budget spent by the RTN on the submarine procurement scheme on his Facebook account yesterday.

According to his post, the RTN has spent 8.7 billion baht on 11 items related to this procurement scheme, excluding the payment of over 7 billion baht made to China.

The expenditure includes navigation charts, hydrographic information for submarine navigation, a torpedo and mine storage facility, a submarine support vessel, and a submarine command and control system.

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