Chinese win bid to supply subs to Thailand's navy

[somsak]

Chinese win bid to supply subs to navy | Bangkok Post: news

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:Chinese win bid to supply subs to navy | Bangkok Post: news View our policies at Bangkok Post: Terms and conditions of use and Bangkok Post: Republishing policy © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.
The navy has picked Chinese submarines costing 12 billion baht each to be commissioned in the force, a source on the procurement committee says.

The majority of the 17-strong committee voted to buy three Chinese submarines, saying it was the "best value for money". The rest were split between submarines from Germany and South Korea.
The navy also received offers from Russia, Sweden and France.

The source said China beat other competitors as it offered subs equipped with superior weaponry and technology. Its subs are also able to stay underwater longer. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence MinisterPrawit Wongsuwon backs the submarine project, citing a growing territorial threat and an increasing number of maritime missions. He said many neighbouring countries are also deploying submarines.


Gen Prawit said he would forward to the cabinet the navy's submarine procurement decision once it becomes available.

Before the procurement panel made its decision, Gen Prawit was quoted by a navy source as saying that if the submarines were not bought by the current government, the navy might not have the chance to to get them again. In 2011, the navy looked into the purchase of six German-made submarines at a cost of 7.7 billion baht.


However, the project was rejected by the then Yingluck Shinawatra government. The navy revived the submarine project after the May 22 military coup last year amid speculation that China would win the the deal to build and supply subs to Thailand, given the military government's strengthening relations with Beijing.

The government earlier gave the navy 200 million baht to study the feasibility of buying the submarines and gather information on a proposed procurement.

A member of the navy procurement panel noted the Chinese have advanced rapidly in the development of armaments

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

How Did China Just Win Thailand’s New Submarine Bid?
The country has chosen Beijing to help realize its long-deferred submarine quest.

By Prashanth Parameswaran
June 26, 2015

Image Credit: U.S. Navy Photo


Thailand’s navy has elected to buy three submarines from China, moving the country one step closer to acquiring a capability it has lacked for more than six decades, media sources reported June 26 (See: “Thailand Eyes Submarine Fleet”).

According to The Bangkok Post, a source on the 17-member submarine procurement committee appointed by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) revealed that a majority of its members had voted to buy three Chinese submarines costing 12 billion baht ($355 million) each because they were the “best value for money.” The rest of the committee members were apparently split between submarines from South Korea and Germany. As I have written previously, Thailand has lacked a submarine capability since 1951 and has tried but failed since the 1990s to ink submarine deals with several suppliers, including Seoul and Berlin (See: “Will Thailand Realize its Submarine Quest?”).

The official line from military sources is that the decision to go with Chinese-made submarines was based largely on value. In a separate report, The Bangkok Post cited various sources from the navy and the procurement committee as saying that China was chosen because its submarines were not only the cheapest, but of good quality as well contrary to concerns on this score. But a committee member also disclosed that Beijing had offered military technology transfer and training as part of the package, which other countries would otherwise charge more for. That member likened buying submarines to a car purchase. “If we are able to buy a Mercedes but have no money left for petrol, we should look at a top model Toyota instead, which would still leave some money for petrol,” the source said.

Nonetheless, if confirmed the decision is likely to be read by some as another sign that Thailand is leaning closer towards China amid a rocky relationship with its ally the United States following a coup last May. As I have pointed out previously, the reality is in fact much more complex. It is certainly true that Bangkok and Beijing have been looking to boost their defense ties, with an uptick of high-level visits and commitments to expand joint military exercises and training and enhancing defense industry cooperation (See: “China, Thailand Eye Deeper Defense Ties”). But as I have written before, Sino-Thai defense relations have been slow to develop in these areas, while U.S.-Thai defense ties are significantly more mature such that comparing the two makes little sense (See: “Did China Just Boost Military Ties With Thailand?”).

If this new submarine deal is finalized, it could open the possibility for other areas of defense collaboration between Thailand and China such as the ones being deliberated by both sides. But Thailand’s past experience with submarines suggests that renewed efforts in this direction ought to be viewed with caution. Internal differences, political stability and cost issues could complicate and derail plans as they have previously. And as Thai navy chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich said earlier this year, even if the government were to approve the submarine purchase today, time will be needed to build the ships and send personnel for training for one or more years, which means that it will take five or six years before they can enter the service. There may also be lingering questions about the quality of the submarines.

That being said, if the deal goes through, this would constitute a boost to the Sino-Thai relationship as the two countries celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. And it would move Bangkok one step closer to realizing its long-deferred dream of acquiring submarines, which would finally be able fill its multi-million dollar submarine training center after some time.

How Did China Just Win Thailand’s New Submarine Bid? | The Diplomat


So that's how the Chinese won the bid. A tech transfer and training.

 

[Kyle Sun]

good news.

 

[TaiShang]

I saw this news on Chinese media but wanted to hear it from the Thailand's side before posting it. Otherwise some skeptics would start to pick on it.

Good that it has been posted already.

I read that China and Thailand also decided to revise the contract for high speed rail to mid-speed (200kmh) rail.

 

[cnleio]

I hope we sell AIP subs to Thailand.

 

[Kyle Sun]

I saw this news on Chinese media but wanted to hear it from the Thailand's side before posting it. Otherwise some skeptics would start to pick on it.

Good that it has been posted already.

I read that China and Thailand also decided to revise the contract for high speed rail to mid-speed (200kmh) rail.

revise the hsr ?

 

[qwerrty]

ASEAN hates china. no no. this can't can't right


Watch Out, China: Asia's Dangerous Submarine Race Heats Up | The National Interest
Thailand is the latest country in maritime Asia seeking to build up its submarine force...

 

[Shotgunner51]

Chinese win bid to supply subs to navy | Bangkok Post: news

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:Chinese win bid to supply subs to navy | Bangkok Post: news View our policies at Bangkok Post: Terms and conditions of use and Bangkok Post: Republishing policy © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.
The navy has picked Chinese submarines costing 12 billion baht each to be commissioned in the force, a source on the procurement committee says.

The majority of the 17-strong committee voted to buy three Chinese submarines, saying it was the "best value for money". The rest were split between submarines from Germany and South Korea.
The navy also received offers from Russia, Sweden and France.

The source said China beat other competitors as it offered subs equipped with superior weaponry and technology. Its subs are also able to stay underwater longer. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence MinisterPrawit Wongsuwon backs the submarine project, citing a growing territorial threat and an increasing number of maritime missions. He said many neighbouring countries are also deploying submarines.


Gen Prawit said he would forward to the cabinet the navy's submarine procurement decision once it becomes available.

Before the procurement panel made its decision, Gen Prawit was quoted by a navy source as saying that if the submarines were not bought by the current government, the navy might not have the chance to to get them again. In 2011, the navy looked into the purchase of six German-made submarines at a cost of 7.7 billion baht.


However, the project was rejected by the then Yingluck Shinawatra government. The navy revived the submarine project after the May 22 military coup last year amid speculation that China would win the the deal to build and supply subs to Thailand, given the military government's strengthening relations with Beijing.

The government earlier gave the navy 200 million baht to study the feasibility of buying the submarines and gather information on a proposed procurement.

A member of the navy procurement panel noted the Chinese have advanced rapidly in the development of armaments

Sa Wa Di Cup, Good news!

Do you have more info say model, specs, about the three subs?

 

[somsak]

Sa Wa Di Cup, Good news!

Do you have more info say model, specs, about the three subs?

The following was the news on January about Subs proposed by China. It is based on Yuan class type 039A. The export version is called S26T.

จีนนับเป็นประเทศแรกในปี 2015 นี้ที่ส่งตัวแทนบริษัทมาเสนอแบบเรือดำน้ำให้กองทัพเรือครับ
โดย CSOS(China Shipbuilding & offshore International Co., Ltd) นั้นก็เป็นบริษัทด้านการสร้างเรือรบในเครือของ CSIC(China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation)
ซึ่งเป็นรัฐวิสาหกิจด้านอุตสาหกรรมต่อเรือรายใหญ่ของจีน

Submarine S26T ก็น่าจะเป็นแบบเรือสำหรับการส่งออกโดยเฉพาะเหมือนเรือดำน้ำแบบ S20 ที่เคยมีการนำเสนอข้อมูลให้กองทัพเรือไทยไปครับ
โดย S26T นี่ดูจากการตั้งชื่อรุ่นแบบเรือแล้วน่าจะเป็นที่ออกแบบมาสำหรับเพื่อส่งออกให้กองทัพเรือไทยโดยเฉพาะ
เพราะการตั้งชื่อรุ่นแบบเรือนี้เป็นอย่างเดียวกับเรือฟริเกต Type 053T ชุด ร.ล.เจ้าพระยา, Type 053HT ชุด ร.ล.กระบุรี และ F25T ชุด ร.ล.นเรศวร เป็นต้น
ซึ่ง S26T นี่ก็น่าจะเหมือนกับ S20 ที่มีพื้นฐานที่ย่อส่วนมาจากเรือดำน้ำดีเซล-ไฟฟ้าแบบ Type 039A Yuan ของกองทัพเรือปลดปล่อยประชาชนจีน
เรือชั้น Yuan เป็นเรือดำน้ำลาดตระเวนเดินสมุทรขนาดใหญ่ระวางขับน้ำ 3,600tons ยาว 75m มี Torpedo ๖ท่อยิง กำลังพล ๖๕นาย ซึ่งใช้ Technology ขั้นสูงเช่นระบบ AIP เป็นต้น
แต่คุณสมบัติแบบเรือ S26T ตอนนี้ยังค้นข้อมูลไม่ได้ครับ แต่ถ้าที่ CSOS เสนอข้อมูลว่าคือเรือชั้น Yuan สำหรับกองทัพเรือไทย
ก็ไม่แน่ใจว่าเรือแบบ S26T นี่จะมีความใกล้เคียงกับเรือชั้น Yuan ที่จีนใช้เองมากที่สุดและก้าวหน้าที่สุดในรุ่นส่งออกหรือไม่ครับ
(คงต้องรอข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมจากกองเรือดำน้ำก่อน)

 

[TaiShang]

revise the hsr ?

The speed, as I read, has been reduced from 300 to 200.

ASEAN hates china. no no. this can't can't right

Watch Out, China: Asia's Dangerous Submarine Race Heats Up | The National Interest
Thailand is the latest country in maritime Asia seeking to build up its submarine force...

Thailand has decided to buy submarines from China. Should China be concerned? LOL. The Western spin machine runs on pure anti-China hatred which does not require logic or rationale.

Anticipate another spin from the same hatemongers.

 

[Beidou2020]

The speed, as I read, has been reduced from 300 to 200.



Thailand has decided to buy submarines from China. Should China be concerned? LOL. The Western spin machine runs on pure anti-China hatred which does not require logic or rationale.

Anticipate another spin from the same hatemongers.

Western propaganda mouthpieces will now try to say China was chosen because of tech transfer and training

The fact they don't like to admit is that Chinese submarines are now some of the best in the world. China's industrial capability and technological advancement has made Chinese submarines world class.

China is now a big weapons exporter.

China exports warships, submarines, tanks, artillery, fighter jet trainers, helicopters, fighter jets, air defences, etc.

Chinese military-industrial complex is rapidly advancing.

Jealous haters can continue to laugh at China while China continues to win military deals and increase its market share in the global arms industry like it has in every other industry.

 

[somsak]

How good is the quality of Chinese made sub?

I heard that they are very loud.
How long are their life time?

 

[dichoi]

How good is the quality of Chinese made sub?

I heard that they are very loud.
How long are their life time?

Thailand is ally of US. is this right. ?

 

[somsak]

Thailand is ally of US. is this right. ?

Yes. Treaty Ally.

 

[Beidou2020]

How good is the quality of Chinese made sub?

I heard that they are very loud.
How long are their life time?

Modern Chinese subs are very advanced.

Obviously the propaganda from the West will always downplay any rival weapon so that their companies end up winning the deals.

Thailand wouldn't choose a submarine that is 'very loud' because the main purpose of a weapon is that it has to perform well. Even if you get tech transfers, no point getting tech transfers of outdated technology.

China's modern submarines such as type 041 are very advanced. Otherwise China wouldn't be buying these submarines for the PLA Navy.