By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Oct.3) has suspended the procurement of any weapon systems during fiscal 2024 so that, he said, the government’s annual budget could be spent for optimum use.
The prime minister said he has instructed the Ministry of Defence to keep any otherwise-planned procurement of weapon systems and accessories on hold throughout fiscal 2024, beginning on Oct.1, so an estimated 3.48 trillion baht budget worth of the taxpayer’s money will be used in optimum fashion.
Not only the army, navy and air force but all other government agencies have been given the prime minister’s directive to suspend any otherwise-planned procurement of hardware materials and equipment as had been the case year in year out, according to the prime minister.
“I don’t know about weapon systems which may refer to anything ranging from jet fighters and helicopters to ammunition, among others, but they all are to be put on hold for now.
“I believe the military leaders will certainly take into account the country’s optimum interests,” Srettha told reporters at Government House.
Meanwhile, the prime minister stopped short of saying whether his informal talk with senior German government officials in New York last month over the sought-after German engine to be installed aboard a Chinese submarine purchased by the Thai navy has made any progress.
Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Panpree Pahitthanukorn has earlier remarked that the German government had agreed to take the matter into consideration but declined to elaborate.
Among the European Union member states, Germany has boycotted exports of military hardware and equipment to China, including the MTU396 engine which may have been otherwise installed aboard China’s Yuan-class S26T submarine built for the Thai navy at the price of 12.4 billion baht.
Navy commanders have so far remained non-committal as to whether they may prefer the German engine as earlier specified for the Chinese-built sub or wait for China Shipbuilding & Offshore International to install the Chinese-made CHD620 engine instead.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Chinese-built S26T submarine, one of which is being built for the Thai navy. Photo/en.people.cn and published by China Daily
Front Page: Two F-35s bank after receiving fuel over the Midwest on Sept. 19, 2019. The Thai air force is trying to procure the first two of these stealth fighters. Photo: Master Sgt. Ben Mota/US Air Force and published by Defensenews.com
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