RTN Signal Postpone the Purchase of the Second and Third S26T Submarines for Another Year and Project Remarks in 2022

20 Maret 2021

Both AIP and AShM equip the S26T submarine (image : Thanasak Saisood)

During this period, government agencies are preparing an annual budget for 2022 to submit to the Cabinet for approval. For the military itself, it is also one of the budgeting agencies. Which is now expected Ministry of Defense Is currently in the final level of what military projects will be proposed.

As we all know, Thailand is currently experiencing economic problems from COVID-19. Causing the government to cut the budget from many government agencies down a lot And one of the most severed entities is the Ministry of Defense. To bring the budget to stimulate the economy and reduce the government's borrowing burden. Here, TAF is quite supportive of the government in doing so. Because nowadays, epidemics and the survival of the economy are more urgent than security. Arms supply should look at supplying domestically made weapons. Or have investments in Thailand or buy products from Thailand in return this will benefit both stimulating the economy and creating stability in itself.

As for the Navy, in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 TAF found that the Navy gave a clear signal to postpone the submarine supply. In order to reduce the force of clashes with society And will focus on building understanding with the public about the importance of submarines very seriously. Before submitting a proposal for a new submarine project, when a more appropriate time is now available. In which case we also support the position of the Navy.

According to the preliminary information, in 2022, the budget related to submarines was only 300 million baht for submarine command control and communication systems, 650 million baht hangars and maintenance garages, where there were several auctions and bids. Because there was no private person to make an offer although it is a specific hiring for private individuals, there was no need for any competition. All of which are projects to support the first S26T submarines signed for 2017 and likely to receive in 2023.

But all this Thai private entities have not participated in anything. Because it is a procurement or hiring from abroad at all.

While a large budget of more than 10 billion baht becomes pilotless aircraft Marine reconnaissance aircraft, improvements offshore patrol ships, building exploration ships and purchasing armored vehicles.

Which did not know that the Navy wanted to reduce the resistance from the people by themselves or ordered by the Ministry of Defense to delay first in order to reduce the impact on the government. This cannot be answered here, But it is considered a different attitude from the previous era as well.

In the ten billion budget of this year 2022, the Thai private sector could be involved in one project, which is about 1 billion hydrographic exploration ships if connected domestically, and the Thai garage can already do. As for the 800 million vehicle, if it is Chinese, it is the VN-16 vehicle, then Thailand will not get anything. But if it was a locally assembled and developed AAPC vehicle it would have been better in terms of supporting the defense industry and helping the economy in the country. As for the 5 billion unmanned aircraft, it is the only foreign procurement, it will not get anything. But if operated like the Air Force in the form of Purchase and Development, the private sector will also benefit.

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