Thailand likely to deploy Chinese submarine engines to avoid showing Beijing ‘signs of weakness’, analysts say
- Analysts expect Thailand to proceed with the Chinese engines when it completes evaluation by September 15
- Deal will further strengthen Sino-Thai relations, following joint military drills on Sunday
Thailand considers Chinese engines for its S26T Yuan submarines
Brian Wong, a geopolitics consultant and founder of the Oxford Political Review, said that “one way or another, closer ties with China appear to be a fait accompli” for Thailand to proceed with the deal.
The “optics” of Thailand caving to public criticism and backing out of the US$1.05 billion deal would not sit well with senior officials in Beijing who are likely to see it as “signs of weakness in their designated subordinates”, Wong added, referring to junior mainland diplomats who may have been assigned to liaise with Bangkok on the matter.
Thailand said last week that it is open to buying the Chinese-made diesel engines, after manufacturer China Shipbuilding & Offshore International failed to obtain German equipment as specified in the 13.5 billion-baht (US$379 million) contract signed in 2017.
Thailand’s Chinese submarine order hits snag after German export embargo
“The contract specified that in cases of failure to source certain machine parts, better parts or ones of similar efficiency could be installed instead,” said Thai navy spokesman Pokkrong Monthatphalin. The expected delivery of the first submarine is in 2024.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s administration had initially planned to secure three Chinese submarines with a total value of more than US$1 billion.
Why is Thailand’s Chinese submarine deal stalled – and will it go ahead?
Still, the Thai navy has not backed down from the deal since it was first proposed, insisting that the submarines were crucial to maintain Thailand’s maritime security in the present-day geopolitical environment.
Local commenters were not surprised by the latest twist in Thailand’s submarine purchase saga with the Thairath, one of Thailand’s major newspapers, calling the Thai navy “indecisive” in its dealings with China on the submarine deal.
“Reneging upon this contract may allow Thailand to rebuild some of the frayed trust and confidence between it and Germany in the aftermath of the latter’s decision to restrict export of defence technology to China, which played a pivotal role in the original wording of the contract,” said Wong from the Oxford Political Review.
“Submarines tend to be less replaceable and fungible than most other arms equipment parts, and thus the decision made by Bangkok likely reflects greater willingness to work with China across areas of mutual, convergent military interest,” he added.
Analysts expressed concern about the CHD620 engine passing the Thai navy’s evaluation.
“[It] has never been used to power submarines before, so it’s unclear if it will meet the Thai navy’s requirements,” said Storey from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
The CHD620 engine has not been used by any country, so there were “rumours and reports that China may have employed and tested them internally but such reports have not been made public or verified,” said Wong.
“The Thai military’s relations with China are a little too close for many in Washington, and the sale would have to be approved by the Pentagon, the State Department and Congress. Their approval is far from a given,” said Storey.
