The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is considering the use of Chinese-made marine diesel engines in its S26T diesel-electric submarine project, led by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSOC).
RTN spokesman Vice-Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin said in an Aug. 9 statement that the CSOC had made an offer to replace the initially proposed German-made MTU 396 diesel engine, which was offered when an order was placed in 2017 but was subsequently replaced by Berlin. Block exports to China. Longstanding European Union (EU) sanctioned – use of locally manufactured CHD620 marine diesel engine.
VAdm Pokkrong said RTN had requested more information on the CHD620 engine after the CSOC proposed an alternative in June, and had asked the company to submit the requested data by mid-September. “RTN has assigned a Navy technical working group to consider these details,” he said. “CSOC has until September 15 to submit additional information for further consideration.”
“If the substitute [engine] Failing the test, the Navy can terminate the contract and seek compensation or a refund,” added VAdm Pokkrong.
In May 2017, Thailand signed a $380 million contract with CSOC, the international trade arm of state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSIC), to procure the S26T. The S26T is an improved version of the Yuan-class (Type 041) submarine in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
The submarine had a steel cutting ceremony in September 2018 and the keel was laid in 2019. Work is currently underway at CSOC’s Wuchang Shipbuilding subsidiary in Wuhan, and the vessel is expected to be delivered between 2023 and 2024.
RTN earlier received approval from the House of Representatives to procure two more S26T submarines, despite earlier indications that the acquisition may be delayed due to economic challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to company specifications, the S26T submarine has a displacement of 2,550 tons at full load, a length of 255 feet (77.7 meters) and a beam of 28 feet (8.6 meters). The vessel can be operated by a standard crew of 38, but it also features a large accommodation space with 46 berths as well as a separate commander’s quarters, which allows all crew members to have their own berthing space for added comfort during extended periods degree tasks.
The CSOC also cites a maximum underwater speed of 17 knots (31 kilometers per hour), a diving depth of up to 984 feet (300 meters) and a battery-powered operating range of over 260 nautical miles (481 kilometers). The vessel is said to have a maximum endurance of 65 days at sea and can cover distances of up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 kilometers) while alternating between surface and underwater cruises.
by Jr Ng
