By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THAILAND IS ANTICIPATING unofficial talks next week with China in bid to trade off a submarine already purchased by the Thai navy for a frigate, Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang said today (Nov.2).
Thai high-level defence officials and their Chinese counterparts are expected to hold the unofficial talks over the proposed tradeoff at a Defence & Security 2023 fair scheduled between Nov. 6 and Nov. 9 at Muang Thong Thani exhibition and convention centre in Bangkok, Suthin said.
Then, a Thai delegation will be assigned to officially negotiate the tradeoff with China at a later date, according to the defence minister.
Thailand has already opted to not procure the Yuan-class S26T submarine due to lack of a German-made MTU396 engine to be installed aboard as earlier specified in the 13 billion baht purchase contract.
Suthin has earlier said the preferrable Chinese-built frigate the type of which is yet to be specified would cost about 17 billion baht whilst the Thai navy has earlier paid a sum of seven billion baht in down payment for the unfinished submarine.
The sought-after frigate will add to an existing fleet of six Chinese-built frigates, plus another one to be bought with its current fiscal budget.
The Chinese-built frigates currently deployed by the Thai navy include two Naresuan-class frigates and four Chao Phraya-class frigates.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Submarines. Photos: Thai Rath
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