By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DEFENCE MINISTER PHUMTHAM Wechayachai has yet to consult with the Chinese military attache in Bangkok over a contentious proposal for change of an engine for use with a Chinese-built submarine for the Thai navy, a government source said today (Oct. 26).
The navy’s long-delayed plan to purchase the 12.4 billion-baht, Yuan-class S26T submarine from China Shipbuilding & Offshore International has hit snags which resulted in a delay in delivery of the boat from last year in the wake of the shipbuilder’s persistent call for the installation of a Chinese-made CHD620 engine in place of an unavailable German-made MTU396 engine and a sought-after extension by a period of 1,217 days in construction of Thailand’s first submarine in six decades.
For that matter, a consultation will be held between the Thai defence minister and the military attache of the Chinese embassy in the Thai capital, a date for which is yet to be scheduled, the government source said.
In addition, Phumtham might as well consult with the German military attache over the reported unavailability of the German engine for the Chinese S26T submarine being built for the Thai navy.
Phumtham, viewed as a right-hand man for de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, has earlier confirmed the Chinese submarine project will be finalised sooner than later within his current tenure as civilian defence minister whilst the Thai-Chinese submarine purchase contract is scheduled to expire next month.
CAPTIONS:
Top: A composite image of a submarine with Chinese and German flags in the background. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Photo: Thai Rath
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