Thailand expected to receive 2 used submarines as donation from China

A Type 035 Ming-class diesel electric attack submarine of the PLAN. Photo c/o Grant Newman.

China has offered to donate two used submarines to Thailand as part of a military assistance to the country.

The submarines are offered to allow the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to train and gain experience in submarine operations, prior to the delivery of a brand new S26T submarine ordered by the Thai Ministry of Defense from China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in 2017.

It is still unclear which submarine model would China be giving to Thailand, but it is expected to be either the Type 035B Ming-class, or the newer Type 039 Song-class submarine, both of which are still in service with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

The S26T submarine design was derived from the Type 039 Song-class, with modifications to suit RTN requirements.

It was reported that the delivery of the S26T submarine to the RTN is expected to be delayed due to still unconfirmed reasons.

The RTN has been preparing in terms of manpower and infrastructure for the arrival of its first submarine, although having actual submarines in their fleet would increase and improve the training tempo for its planned submarine crew.

It is expected that the first S26T submarine will be delivered operational with the RTN by 2027. 

The RTN was planning to order a second S26T submarine in 2020, but the request was temporarily shelved due to funding issues as the Thai Government bankrolls the country’s COVID-19 response expenses. 




[1] Shephard Media