PUBLISHED: 1 Oct 2024 at 06: 10
Adm Jirapol Wongwit, a newly appointed army captain, stated that the military would continue to work with China on its submarine purchasing project.
Adm Jirapol stated that he would arrange to meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to discuss the plan following Monday’s transfer of demand. He stated that the underwater program is a crucial component of the navy’s capability-building strategy and that he intends to address any questions the defense minister might have.
The army is also prepared to testify in front of House sections to make sure all parties are aware of the importance of the underwater program for maintaining maritime protection, he said.
But, Adm Jirapol said he would ask the submarine control committee to simple him on the site’s improvement after first discussing it with his father, Adm Adung Pan-iam, during the obligation handover.
China Shipbuilding &, Offshore International Co ( CSOC ) was contracted to build the submarine for 13.5 billion baht under a government-to-government deal with Thailand.
Design apparently reached its halfway point when it was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which was then put off because of an engine problem. The classic deal signed in May 2017 stipulated a German-made gasoline engine. The strategy yet changed after Germany turned down the engine’s offer to sell it to China because it was a military/defence material.
On the military’s fleet procurement system, Adm Jirapol said the new ship is also part of the military’s capability-building strategy, and if the government agrees with it, the project should continue.
” If the government says they should be on hold, our capabilities will be reduced ….]and ] everyone must also accept and understand what we ca n’t do ]as a result ]”, he said.
The navy’s fleet sourcing plan, which it intended to apply over the next five years, needed 17 billion ringgit from the 2024 budget. But, the House committee vetting the 2024 resources bill rejected its demand for the funds, and the military planned to get an planning in the 2026 governmental budget.