Royal Thai Navy Begins Submarine Crew Recruitment

09 Februari 2026

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) S26T submarine is 2,600 ton equipped with Air-independent propulsion (AIP) (photo: CSSC)

The Submarine Squadron, Royal Thai Fleet (RTF), has opened applications for the selection of submarine personnel, instructor training courses, and combat staff training courses under the S26T submarine procurement project to fill 42 vacant positions. Applications will be accepted from December 30, 2025 to January 9, 2026.

The submarine crew consists of 28 personnel, including 11 commissioned officers: Navigation Officer and Third Navigator, and Weapons Officer (5 positions); Second Engineer and Third and Fourth Engineer (3 positions); Medical Officer (2 positions); and Sonar Officer, with ranks between Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant. And 17 non-commissioned officer positions: 1 Quartermaster, 1 Underwater Weapons Technician, 11 Engineer Technicians, 2 Petty Officers, 1 Radio Operator, and 2 Sonar Operators, with ranks between Chief Petty Officer First Class and Petty Officer First Class.

The instructor training course has 2 positions, including a submarine escape instructor (Safety Training Section, rank of Lieutenant Commander) – 1 position, and a mechanical engineering instructor (Electrical and Electronics Training Section, rank of Lieutenant Commander) – 1 position. There are also 12 positions for the combat staff course, with ranks between Commodore and Lieutenant Commander.

The Wuchang shipyard in Wuhan, China, has completed the construction of the first four of eight Hangor-class submarines for the Pakistan Navy (PN) during the 2024-2025 period. Three submarines are expected to be launched in 2025, and sea trials are currently underway before the first delivery in 2026. It is understood that Wuchang will now have more time, manpower, and resources available to construct the first S26T submarine for the Royal Thai Navy.

Thailand signed an amendment to the contract in September 2025 to accept the CHD620 diesel engine for the generator instead of the German MTU 396. A Thai Navy delegation recently visited China from December 9-19, 2025, to monitor the project's progress. The launching ceremony for the Royal Thai Navy's first S26T submarine may take place sooner than expected if no further problems arise.

(AAG)