Thread: Navy Duped Into Buying Subs With No Engines

No worries. They will eventually find a rubber band big enough.

Talks on Thailand’s submarine engine problem postponed until May

Talks between the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), China Shipbuilding and the Offshore International Company (CSOC) on a submarine engine problem, which were due to take place this month, have been postponed to May due to the COVID-19 situation in China, according to RTN Spokesman Vice Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin.


The engine problem, in Thailand’s first, but controversial, submarine procured from China, started when Germany refused to sell the MTU 396 diesel engine to China as part of the EU’s embargo on the country.


CSOC, the submarine builder, has offered an alternative Chinese-made engine, which they claim is of a similar standard, but the RTN has rejected the offer and insists on delivery of the German engine.


Vice Adm Pokkrong said that RTN Chief of Staff Adm Talerngsak Sirisawat who is also the chairman of the submarine project, will represent the RTN in the upcoming talks with CSOC, which are aimed at finding a solution to the problem.


He dismissed speculations that the talks would include the matter of used submarines.


The spokesman also said that the Navy Commander-in-Chief, Adm Somprasong Nilsamai, wants the case to be settled as quickly as possible.


The Yuan-class S26T submarine is scheduled to be delivered to the RTN in 2024.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/talks-o...ned-until-may/

It takes time to manufacture bigget rubber bands and by the they may have dredged enough of the gulf for them to try and borrow a sub for a test dive to 50 meters to see if they like their ears popping whilst they can still back out.

Originally Posted by qwerty

According to some random internet sources, the Type 39/41 Chinese subs have AIP or Air Independent Propulsion, which probably means it's powered by a combination Stirling/Electric system. The Chinese probably don't want to sell this technology to the Thais, so the S20 sub series (the export version of the Type 39/41 subs) will need some sort of more conventional (Diesel/Electric) engines.

This also means that the subs will be very unstealthy when operating in shallow waters, like the Gulf of Thailand!

It's OK though, in shallow waters they can use the sails.

Submarine purchase deal with China ongoing and Thailand will not break their contract although the submarines have no engines, Thai PM confirms


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha said that the purchase deal of submarines with China was ongoing and still has time for engine procurement after they insisted to purchase the submarines currently without “engines”.


In April, the government insisted on buying a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China Shipbuilding & Offshore International without Germany’s MTU396 diesel engines despite the fact that the German company had stopped exporting its engines to China due to the country’s use for military purposes.


The issue was brought into discussion in a debate again today by government oppositional parties. The Prime Minister stated in response that the purchase deal is still in line with the contract which still has 60 days remaining to complete the purchase.


“No one would buy a submarine without engines, we will find and procure them” he added.


TPN media notes that the ongoing submarine saga has driven significant attention from Thai social media with many netizens feeling the purchase is not needed.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Royal Thai Navy considering accepting Chinese-made engines for its submarine purchases


The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is considering accepting Chinese-made engines for the S26T Yuan-class submarine to replace the German-made MTU396 diesel engine, which had been rejected for export to China by the German company.


RTN spokesperson Pokkrong Monthatphalin told the press today, August 10th, that the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. (CSOC) had previously offered its CHD620 diesel engine for the submarine.


The company held a talk with the Navy on Tuesday, August 9th, and gave details about the specifications of their modified engines for the S26T submarine. The RTN is currently in the assessment process of the engine details and the process is expected to be finalized on September 15th, the spokesperson stated.


According to the purchase contract, the CSOC grants permission to modify the submarine to meet the equal qualifications to the previously-contracted German engine.


“If the substitute cannot pass the test, the Navy could end the contract and seek compensation or refunds,” Vice Admiral Pokkrong added.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Originally Posted by misskit

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is considering accepting Chinese-made engines for the S26T Yuan-class submarine to replace the German-made MTU396 diesel engine,

Oh boy...

A 'Made in China' not for purpose piece if crap . . . just what Thailand needs for its deep-sea navy

Originally Posted by misskit

“If the substitute cannot pass the test, the Navy could end the contract and seek compensation or refunds,” Vice Admiral Pokkrong added.

...unlikely: envelopes have already been distributed and large deposits made...Chinese-made diesels it is, then...

I cannot find the original thread but the saga continues..... I especially like the highlighted text

Navy to seek guarantee from Chinese counterpart on Chinese-made submarine engine

Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said he would like China’s navy to guarantee the quality of the improved version of the CHD620 engine offered by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC).


The Royal Thai Navy hired the CSOC to build a S26T Yuan-class submarine and under the initial contract it was to be equipped with an MTU 396 diesel engine from Germany.


But after Germany refused to sell MTU 396 diesel engines to China on grounds that they are regarded as a military item, the CSOC offered the CHD620 engine to the RTN. The RTN tested the engine in September but declined to approve it due to doubts of its reliability as the engine has not been used in a Chinese submarine.


“Without no one guaranteeing its quality, we can’t be assured that it is really good,” Choengchai said.


“We believe the Chinese navy would not risk its reputation to guarantee the quality of an engine that is not really good. So, we would like the Chinese navy to guarantee it first.”


The Thai Navy chief said he would raise this condition during a meeting with the CSOC representatives early next month to discuss the engine issue.


Choengchai said the Thai Navy chief-of-staff would head a panel of the Navy to meet CSOC representatives early next month and the meeting would also be witnessed by the Chinese ambassador to Thailand and the Chinese embassy’s military attaché.


Navy to seek guarantee from Chinese counterpart on Chinese-made submarine engineThe Navy chief said the Thai side would like to know for how long the procurement project would be extended so that the RTN could plan other projects. Currently, the RTN could not start other projects as it has to prepare a budget for the submarine procurement. Currently, the project implementation has been extended to the middle of 2024 after the CSOC failed to deliver the submarine as initially scheduled, the Navy chief added.


Choengchai added that he has learned the Pakistani navy had tested the engine installed on its submarine but there was still no information on the spare parts of the Chinese engine.


“We are now awaiting for more information so that we can be assured the engine can run effectively like what they claim,” the Navy chief said.


“If it does not unfold as stated in the contract, the Thai side can annul the contract. Actually, we can annul it now but we must negotiate with them first. We’ll try to have the Chinese navy take part in the negotiations, too.”


Choengchai added that the RTN would also have to take into account the good ties between Thailand and China before making a decision on the issue.

Navy to seek guarantee from Chinese counterpart on Chinese-made submarine engine

The contract is shit but they are hanging on to it for dear life because someone wants ( to keep?? ) the bung.

What a snake pit, and all for a naval craft that has no realistic application whatsoever for Thai defence.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

all for a naval craft that has no realistic application whatsoever for Thai defence.

Not true. They will be very useful in keeping their corvette fleet under observation.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

The contract is shit but they are hanging on to it for dear life because someone wants ( to keep?? ) the bung.

What a snake pit, and all for a naval craft that has no realistic application whatsoever for Thai defence.

Perhaps for venerated persons deep fishing adventures.

Originally Posted by malmomike77

I cannot find the original thread but the saga continues..... I especially like the highlighted text

Navy to seek guarantee from Chinese counterpart on Chinese-made submarine engine

I don't know if either of these two threads are the one you were thinking of but they seem to be about the same topic.

Navy Duped Into Buying Subs With No Engines

China offers two decommissioned Song-class submarines to Royal Thai Navy








Perhaps a kindly mod could merge them if appropriate.

Thanks, the first one - it's all comedy gold. I mean if they can sink a corvette in 4m waves, just what will the Royal Thai Wavy do with a submersible.

The recently sunken ship had two large MTU engines

Originally Posted by malmomike77

Thanks, the first one - it's all comedy gold. I mean if they can sink a corvette in 4m waves, just what will the Royal Thai Wavy do with a submersible.

Probably still looking for the sailor who yelled out, Dive! Dive!