China encounters problem on engine supply for Thailand S26T submarine

 

A Type 039B submarine of the PLAN. Phot c/o Loong Naval.

Reports from Thai press came out indicating that Chinas has encountered problems in sourcing engines for the S26T diesel-electric attack submarine it is building for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

Bangkok Post reported that China planned on using a submarine engine from German company MTU for installation of the S26T submarine now under construction in Wuhan by Chinese shipbuilder Wuchang Shipbuilding.

MTU was said to have refused to sell the submarine engine to China after learning that it would be installed on a submarine constructed for another country.

Negotiations are said to be ongoing between Chinese and German sides, as it is now believed that the S26T submarine’s delivery will be pushed back from September 2023 to April 2024.

China has offered to donate 2 used submarines to Thailand help in training RTN submarine crew while waiting for the delivery of its new S26T submarine, although it is still unconfirmed what submarine model has been offered by China.

Recently, China has donated Type 035 Ming-class submarines to Bangladesh and Myanmar, and is expected to donate more as military aid and potential sweeteners to countries considering to acquire Chinese arms and ships.

RTN Chief of Staff Admiral Tharoengsak Sirisawat said they will set-up a panel to study the viability of the offer from China, taking into consideration the used submarines’ maintenance cost.

The S26T submarine is a export variant for Thailand of the Type 039 submarine uses by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).




[1] Bangkok Post
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal