Navy commander looking for cabinet approval
22 September 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, the head of the army, announced yesterday that he would ask the cabinet for permission to buy a Chinese submarine with an engine made in China, though the government may take various factors into account.
The S26T Yuan-class submarine that the Thai navy ordered from China Shipbuilding & amp, Offshore International Co ( CSOC ) will now have a Chinese-made CHD620 engine installed in it. According to Adm Choengchai, the website has now undergone inspection and approval by the army, ensuring both its security and effectiveness.
The submarine motor insurance has been extended by CSOC from two to eight times to further aid the choice of the Chinese engine. According to the military commander, this insurance will protect spare parts and call for the implementation of Chinese officials to assist with the submarine’s maintenance over the course of eight years, which may include submarine upgrades.
He emphasized how important it was for the military to acquire its first underwater in order to improve marine security and support its functions in the Southeast Asia region.
Adm Choengchai stated that Germany had declined to offer its website for a Chinese-made submarine, despite the possibility that the new government would negotiate for the German-built engine to be used in the Chinese submarine project as originally planned or would purchase an American submarine in its place. The military’s funds could be exceeded by a new procurement project, he continued. The MTU396 gasoline engine from Germany had previously been mentioned by the army for the underwater project.
Adm Choengchai, who will retire at the end of this month, stated that he would make an effort to finish the military’s ask for a submarine within the upcoming week. If the Chinese-made website is approved, the ordered Chinese submarine’s construction has already started and will get close to three more years, according to him.