The technical panel offers finished testing the particular Chinese-made engine which is being proposed because the replacement for a German engine that was supposed to power the S26T Yuan-class submarine the navy is in the buying, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Pokkrong Monthatphalin said last night.
The particular findings have been posted to the navy’s key of staff, Adm Thaloengsak Sirisawat, for even more consideration by the boat procurement committee, Vice Adm Pokkrong mentioned.
The improved version from the CHD620 engine had been recommended by Tiongkok Shipbuilding & Just offshore International Co (CSOC) to replace the German-made MTU396 diesel engine that the government acquired stipulated it desired to power the boat.
However , a source in the navy said engineers on the Naval Dockyard disagreed with the recommendation, stating the engine is never fitted on Chinese submarines.
“The dockyard worries it will be held responsible if the procurement committee decides to accept the suggestion and problems arise later on, ” the source said.
An initial assessment by the dockyard’s technical panel failed to reach the conclusion as the motor cannot be tested on sea, so it cannot determine whether the engine could be fitted around the submarine which the navy is in the process of purchasing, the source said.
All eye are now on navy chief Adm Somprasong Nilsamai, as he can retire on September 30. It is unclear how his successor, Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, will deal with the matter, the source said.
Previously, Adm Thaloengsak had stressed that any alternative must match the decided specifications, saying if the engine passes the particular tests, there will be no requirement to amend the contract.
Underneath the contract, CSOC will be permitted to make modifications to any parts of the submarine as long as their own replacements are associated with at least equal high quality, he said.
But if the parts fail the assessments, the contract should be terminated, and the two sides will have to hold talks to discuss settlement or a refund, this individual said.