Thai navy to procure three Chinese submarines

BANGKOK, July 3 (TNA) - The Royal Thai Navy has resolved to buy three newly-built Chinese submarines within the next six years, totally worth about 36 billion baht, in a government-to-government (G-to-G) deal. Thai Navy Chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich told journalists of the update on Friday, saying that the deal is the best one regarding cost effectiveness because the three submarines will be fully-armed and China will provide good services, including training and spare part supplies for eight years. Admiral Kraisorn revealed that the decision came from a 17-member naval committee, comprising a new generation of officers of the Submarine Squadron who will work on submarines, after the panel inspected submarines in six countries. According to the navy chief, the Thai government will pay for the three new Chinese submarines in installments over a period of either 7 or 10 years, after the delivery of the three brand-new Chinese submarines. During the construction of the three new submarines, which should take 5-6 years, the navy chief noted, the Royal Thai Navy will send officers to inspect it for two years. The navy chief acknowledged that Chinese submarines meet the Royal Thai Navy's need because Thailand can have three of them, instead of two from other countries. More importantly, China is the only country that provides the Air-Independent Propulsion system (AIP), an engine system which does not need air above water surface and the system, thus, allows submarines to operate underwater for as long as 21 days without surfacing. The navy chief insisted that the project is transparent and the decision rests with the Thai Cabinet's approval although he does not know when Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan will seek the Cabinet's approval for the procurement. (TNA)