Against all odds Thailand cancels its submarine contract with China.

According to information published by Newtalk新聞 on October 25, 2023, Thailand has put on hold its plan to purchase S26T Yuan-class submarines from China.
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Model of an S26T (Yuan class) submarine at Defense & Security 2017 in Bangkok. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

Thai Defense Minister Suthin Klangsaeng announced on the 20th at the Naval headquarters the decision to shelf the acquisition plans. The initial agreement with China for the S26T Yuan-class submarines signed back in 2017, stipulated the use of German-made diesel engines. However, Germany prohibited the use of its engines for Chinese military and defense hardware.

China proposed an alternative with its domestically-produced engines, but Thailand expressed concerns over the performance of the Chinese-made engines. Following several rounds of negotiations, China attempted to reassure the Thai Navy of the capabilities of its engines, with the Thai Navy eventually agreeing.

Last month, Royal Thai Navy Commander Choengchai Chomchoengpaet recommended the cabinet to approve a submarine equipped with a Chinese-made engine. Despite this, the Thai government insisted on the utilization of German engines and requested the Navy to amend the project.

About the submarine

The S26T submarine, with a displacement of 1,800 tons, was to be powered by a hybrid system of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) and diesel-electric power.

Onboard electronic equipment was to include various sonar detection devices, navigation communication equipment, radar electronic countermeasures, sonar countermeasures, and a combat command system. A large-diameter main passive medium frequency search sonar, with high-precision location tracking and digital control systems, was integrated in the lower part of the bow.

The S26T submarine, with a length of 77.7 meters, a beam of 8.6 meters, and a height of 9.2 meters, was capable of diving up to 300 meters. It could reach a top speed of 17 knots, and with a combination of AIP and diesel-electric power, it boasted a cruising range of 2,000 nautical miles or 65 days of operation. The vessel was to be operated by a crew of 38 and had the capability to launch anti-ship missiles.