Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

German U-206A Submarine

recently, according to Thailand, “Bangkok Post” reported, Thailand Department of Defense Committee on April 26 approved the Navy’s 80 billion baht to buy six submarines of the German retirement plan. Thailand’s Ministry of Defense said Commission spokesman Colonel Sana Di Peng, Permanent Secretary of Defence and Supreme Commander, including members of the German Navy’s procurement system, U-206A submarine are very pleased with the choice.

although since deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been plunged into political turmoil in Thailand, but Thai Navy never relaxed their weapons and equipment modernization, the purchase of German submarines is the best example. In the purchase of submarines behind the Thai Navy’s recovery plan is on track to start.

the same money to buy more submarines

at a news conference, Sana Di Peng Thai Navy Colonel stressed three points for the procurement of submarines requirements: first, to protect national and maritime interests. Second, to enhance ASEAN’s submarine force. Third, the military balance within ASEAN.

Looking neighboring countries, Malaysia has deployed two French-made submarines, Singapore has four submarines, Vietnam has three Russian-made submarines, and have to buy six Russian-made submarine program. Even Myanmar also has its own submarine force.

Sana Di Peng Colonel said: “Although we purchase some of these submarines old, but still applies to the Andaman Sea. The depth and visibility of the area does not affect the performance of these submarines. The key is German-made submarines with an integrated weapons system. “

If the procurement plan approved by the Cabinet in Thailand, the Thai Navy in December 2013 will be the submarine. Thai Navy will once again next month to the Defense Committee for more details on procurement plans. After a hearing will be held to explain why the Navy would buy only a few years time the retired submarine service instead of buying new submarines and other issues.

In fact, in a media interview, Sana Di Colonel Peng has said: “Why do we buy decommissioned submarines? Because the cost of decommissioning submarines purchased within the budget. In the past, we plan to spend 40 billion Thai baht fee, but only to buy to buy two new submarines, such as South Korea’s U209 submarine … In this project, we only need to spend 7.7 billion baht you can buy six submarines, which also includes the logistics system. ”

These statements can be seen from: First, for economic factors, the Thai military can plan carefully, take a limited purchase funds, to purchase more submarines to the Navy in a short time with greater combat effectiveness; second, this is only the first step in Thai Navy, the next in the domestic stability, economic conditions turn for the better, the Thailand will definitely purchase more advanced new submarines.

suddenly underwater combat capabilities to enhance

In recent years, found himself being from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam submarine surrounded by this situation to promote Thailand the idea of ??the submarine again produced equipment. Since 1996 the military abandoned Taihai diesel-electric submarine procurement plan, Taihai military submarine project has been in suspended state. In neighboring submarine, surrounded by the military in two ways to resolve Taihai difficulties they face.

First, they feel an urgent need to develop anti-submarine warfare capability. Taihai troops have been equipped with six S-70B-7 “Sea Hawk” helicopter. September 22, 2009 the government approved the Navy plans to upgrade anti-submarine warfare force. The two-year upgrade plan in the first stage of a helicopter equipped with three L3 Communications Corporation AN/ASN-15 navigation computer and cast hanging sonar buoys. The United States agreed to the sale of six Taihai Army MH-60S helicopter, the first two helicopters delivered in 2010.

second, is to buy submarines, submarine to submarine deal with opponents.

Thailand, the purchase of six submarines, the German Navy, June 1, 2010 suddenly announced early retirement of the displacement of 500 tons of 6 U-206A class diesel-electric submarines, six submarines originally planned to be retired in 2016.

206A submarine in 1973 to 1975 in the German Navy after another, the water displacement of 450 tons submerged displacement of 498 tons; Water speed 10 knots submerged speed of 17; the use of diesel-electric propulsion.

weapons and equipment on the boat include: 8 533 mm torpedo tubes, the use of Atlas’s DM2A3 wire-guided torpedoes, when active homing range of 6 km, speed 35; passive homing time range of 28 km, speed 23; warhead weight 260 kilograms.

electronic facilities, the submarine uses Thomson CSF “Calypso” II surface search radar, passive sonar using Thomson – Xin Tala DUUX2 sonar systems and Atta Las Electronics The DBQS-21D-type active sonar system. Electronic warfare systems, using the Thomson-CSFDR2000U and Thorne’s EMI “Surrey” electronic support systems.

in the early 1990s, the German navy for 18 U-206A submarine of the 12 had a higher standard for modernizing the submarine in the world at that time was controlled, and can carry weapons , the smallest of the submarine.

According to the Thai government’s plan, the next ten years has invested over 16.5 billion U.S. dollars for the armed forces purchase equipment. Thai Navy’s submarine procurement plan is the country’s armed forces years an important part of the reform program. However, some people in Thailand against the Navy with the submarine on the grounds that the water is too shallow Gulf of Thailand – an average depth of less than 45 meters.