Coss Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Signs of conflict have emerged over the navy's 7.7-billion-baht plan to procure second-hand German submarines as a top aide to the defence minister has insisted the procurement plan has yet to be approved. "The Defence Council didn't approve the submarine purchase, only acknowledged it," Noppadon Inthapanya, secretary to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, said yesterday. On Monday, navy commander Kamthorn Phumhiran spent almost two hours outlining the plan to buy six second-hand U-206 A submarines worth 7.7 billion baht to the Defence Council. Council spokesman Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng said at that time council members, who include the defence permanent secretary and supreme commander, were satisfied with the procurement plan. Gen Noppadon said yesterday with only one cabinet meeting left before a House dissolution, the procurement is unlikely to be approved by the current administration. "I think it will be quite difficult for the defence minister to bring the matter before the cabinet meeting next week [May 3]," he said. Gen Prawit left for China yesterday on a visit scheduled to last until Saturday. He will reportedly also look at Chinese submarines. Earlier Gen Prawit raised the idea of buying South Korean-made submarines as an alternative for the navy because they are new. Gen Noppadon, however, denied speculation that the defence minister wanted to buy submarines from South Korea, saying weapons procurement would be at the request of each force. He said there were several steps involved in any weapons purchase plans so it was impossible to say the submarine scheme would be approved by the cabinet before the House is dissolved. Such plans have to be screened by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the Office of the Permanent Secretary and the Budget Bureau, among others. Gen Noppadon said the consideration process may take time, but that is to ensure transparency and accountability. "I, on behalf of the defence minister's secretary, can't allow any matter where doubts remain over transparency to be passed on. "What we have to consider is whether the navy needs the submarines, how much budget is available, and decide if new or old ones should be procured," he said. He said if the submarine scheme is approved, he would be responsible for answering questions from the media. The submarine procurement matter has yet to arrive at the office of defence minister, he said. Meanwhile, a highly placed source at the Defence Ministry said yesterday the submarine plan has been considered by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and the Office of the Permanent Secretary. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasathai1 Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 good money to be made on munition items normally headed for the scrap sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Apparently, several South American countries are also interested in the surplus U-boats. Wonder why the navy insists on 6 though. Wouldn't 3 or 4 be more than enough? Somebody must be making something off of the deal, if it goes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 How old are these subs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 35 - 45 years old? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 About $45 million US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 The Thai military need the subs to protect Surin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh_Hoy Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 I hear Surin will be protected by the recent purchase of 500 armored snowmobiles and snowcats. HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 I think these subs were decommissioned about a year ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 The subs were decommissioned because they were out of date and expensive to maintain. That sounded perfect for the Thai navy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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