Construction timeline for new sub may span approximately three years
The Royal Thai Navy's long-awaited submarine project is back on track, following a three-year delay due to engine supply issues. The new completion deadline is set for December 2028, according to announcements made by Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, commander of the Royal Thai Navy, on Wednesday.
The project, which started in 2017, was initially set to be completed in three years. However, the project stalled in 2021 when Germany refused to export the MTU396 engines required for the submarine. This led to an amendment in the submarine procurement, including a switch from German-made engines to Chinese-made CHD620 engines.
The Thai Cabinet approved this change on August 5, 2025, allowing the project to restart. The switch to Chinese engines overcame the bottleneck previously caused by export restrictions on the German engines. The Thai government, however, has expressed concerns and required certification on the Chinese engines' quality before proceeding.
The new submarine is being built by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. (CSOC). By the time of the engine supplier change, about 64% of construction was completed. The updated construction schedule reflects an extension of 1,217 days, roughly translating to an additional 3 years and 4 months.
Admiral Jirapol also mentioned plans to expand naval capabilities in the Andaman Sea, but questions have been raised over who would provide support for this expansion. He emphasised the need for Thailand to monitor international relations and be mindful of its own strategic positioning.
In other news, the Royal Thai Navy plans to procure two frigates, approved by the cabinet. However, funding is currently available for only one frigate. The navy commander stated that Thailand welcomes visits from all friendly nations without conditions.
Some personnel initially assigned for the submarine have since been promoted or reassigned due to the project stall. Despite the challenges, the navy remains optimistic about the future of its naval capabilities.
[1] Thai Navy Submarine Project Back on Track After Three-Year Delay
[2] Thai Submarine Project to Resume with Chinese Engines
[3] Thai Cabinet Approves Chinese Engines for Submarine Project
[4] Thai Navy's Plans for Andaman Sea Naval Expansion Raise Questions
[5] Thailand and China to Draft New Contract for Submarine Project
