Authentic (RTN), underneath the command of Navy Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, confirmed plans to seek governmental approval for the purchase of a Chinese submarine, outfitted with a Chinese-made engine. This decision was announced yesterday, following the navy’s settlement to put in a CHD620 Chinese engine in the S26T Yuan-class submarine at present being constructed by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC).
The Chinese engine has undergone rigorous inspection and has been permitted by the RTN for its safety and effectivity. To further instil confidence in this alternative, CSOC has extended the warranty on the submarine engine from two to eight years. This guarantee consists of protection for spare parts and the availability of Chinese officers for support through the upkeep of the submarine over this eight-year interval, which can additionally encompass attainable upgrades.
Adm Choengchai emphasised the importance of buying the navy’s first Chinese submarine to boost maritime security and strengthen its operations throughout the Southeast Asia region.
However, there might be hypothesis about the new government probably choosing a German-made engine for the Chinese submarine project, or even purchasing a German submarine.
Addressing these potentialities, Adm Choengchai revealed that Germany had declined to promote its engine for a Chinese-made submarine. He added that a new procurement venture might potentially exceed the RTN’s budget. The RTN had previously shown curiosity in Germany’s MTU396 diesel engine for the submarine project.
In the coming week, Admiral Choengchai plans to finalise the RTN’s submarine request for the model new government, ahead of his retirement at the end of the month. If the Chinese-made engine receives approval, the construction of the ordered Chinese submarine, which is already underway, is predicted to take approximately three extra years to finish, reported Bangkok Post.
Thailand has been exploring the chance of participating in a barter trade association with China as a solution to deal with procurement challenges related to the submarine. Read more HERE.
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