Thailand’s Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang said today (Monday) that he is ready to explain, to the House Military Affairs Committee, his decision to switch from procuring a submarine from China to a frigate, even though the surface vessel is more expensive.
While admitting that there are reservations about the change, citing the cost of sending Thai naval officers to China for submarine operational training and the cost of building a special wharf for the submarine, he insisted that the decision to opt for a frigate instead is based on careful consideration, including the legal aspect of pressing ahead with the procurement of a submarine fitted with a Chinese-made engine, instead of the specified German model..
He said that he did not make the decision alone, but had consulted the Royal Thai Navy’s commander-in-chief and other naval officers involved in the project.
The defence minister said he does not want to blame China for breach of contract over the submarine engine, after Germany refused to sell it to China, adding that this is not just a business deal, but Thailand has to take into consideration strategic cooperation and friendship between Thailand and China.
Sutin has previously said that the switch from a submarine to a frigate means that the submarine deal has not been scrapped, but must be reviewed.
Thailand had agreed to procure two S26T Yuan-class submarines, to be equipped with German-made engines, from China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company.
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