Keel laid for first S26T diesel-electric submarine for Thailand

The S26T submarine scale model. Photo c/o Reddit

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Chinese shipbuilder Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. Ltd held the keel laying ceremony for the RTN’s first S26T diesel-electric submarine.

The ceremonies was held in Wuchang Shipybuilding’s yard in Wuhan, China on 5 September 2019, and was attended by top officials of the RTN as well as from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The event takes place almost one year after the First Steel Cutting ceremony, which was held on 4 September 2018.

The Thai government approved the acquisition of the first S26T submarine in April 2017, and signed a contract on May 2017 with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in a deal worth THB13.5 billion (US$411 million). 

The submarine is expected to be delivered to the RTN by 2023.

The S26T was based on the Type 039B Yuan-class submarine operated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is expected to displace at around 2,600 tons, has a top speed of 18 knots, and a submerged endurance of up to 20 days. 

It will be armed with up to 16 torpedoes, and up to 30 mines.

While the RTN has only ordered one unit, the service intends to order another unit and has requested for funds from the Thai government to support the program. The second unit is expected to cost less than the first one.


[1] AAG_Th Journal Thai Defense Page
[2] Thai Armed Force Defense Page: