Thailand Turns to Pakistan to Check China’s ‘Reversed Engineered’ Submarines

24 Juni 2023

People’s Liberation Army’s Navy (PLAN) Yuan-class submarine (photo : USNI)

(CTN News) – The Thai government appears to be warming to the idea of settling for Chinese engines to power the Yuan-class submarine it ordered from China after Germany refused to provide its engine.

According to the Nikkei Asia journal, unnamed sources in the Thai Defence Ministry confirmed that officials from the Thai Navy and their Chinese counterparts would meet again later this month to negotiate the submarine contract.

According to the sources, Thailand also inquired with Pakistan about the condition of its fleet of Chinese-made submarines in anticipation of the Chinese replacement. China may be able to equip Thailand with engines identical to those on eight Pakistani Yuan-class submarines.

In 2015, Pakistan and Beijing agreed to sell eight Yuan-class submarines to Pakistan. The plan called for China and Pakistan to construct four submarines each. As part of its growing role as a major player in Asia’s military supply chain, China has also donated submarines to Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Song and Yuan-class attack submarines account for most of China’s conventional submarine force, and their propulsion is provided by German-made MTU 396 SE84 series diesel engines.

Despite the EU arms embargo, MTU sold China over a hundred of its engines for destroyers and submarines between 1993 and 2020, as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported.

China has made numerous efforts over the past year to save the contract, including offering assurances and concessions. Adm. Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, commander of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), announced in April that the Thai government would accept the alternative propulsion technology if it is secure, and China compensated Thailand for the delay in delivery of the vessel.

The engine’s security is one of three factors we must consider. Second, the Thai Navy needs the Chinese Navy to guarantee this engine. BenarNews reports that he also demanded reimbursement for the time lost while waiting for the replacement engine. These factors will determine whether the contract is continued or terminated.

According to the Commander at the time, the Chief of the Chinese Navy and the country’s Defence Minister had agreed to back the certification of the CHD620, which was built in China by China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Co (CSOC), as was agreed upon in 2022.

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