The RTN is Preparing Its Personnel Before Their Departure for Its 1st S26T Submarine Training in China

07 April 2026

The 1st class Submariner Course for Fiscal Year 2026 at Submarine Squadron, Royal Thai Fleet (RTF) in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, Thailand (photos: Royal Thai Navy)

As of March 2026, the Submarine Squadron of the Royal Thai Fleet (RTF), Royal Thai Navy, was undergoing training for personnel in the 1st Submarine Crew Course for the fiscal year 2026. The opening ceremony for the course was held on February 16, 2026, at the Submarine Fleet Operations Center in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province.

On March 17, 2026, Admiral Pairoj Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, visited the training course for the 1st class of submarine crew members for the fiscal year 2026 at the Submarine Fleet Command, Royal Thai Fleet. This visit demonstrated the progress of the training of the first class of submarine crew members of the Royal Thai Navy since the decommissioning of the HTMS Matchanu-class submarines in 1951.

Thailand signed an amendment to the S26T submarine procurement contract in September 2025 to accept the CHD620 diesel-powered generator instead of the German MTU 396. Similar to the first four Hangor-class submarines of the Pakistan Navy, which have all been launched, it is expected that the first S26T submarine for the Royal Thai Navy should be launched by early 2027.

(AAG)