Thai navy to buy 3 Chinese submarines

Thailand has decided to buy three submarines from China under a USD 1.1 billion deal, the Thai navy chief said today.
Thai navy will buy three submarines from China in a government-to-government contract worth 36 billion baht (USD 1.1 billion), Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Kraisorn Chansuwanit said.
The price includes an eight-year weaponry and parts support package as well as training.
Kraisorn said the committee tasked with choosing submarines had voted 14-3 in favour of Chinese models.
Given the budget, the committee had considered models made by six countries.
Besides China, models from Russia, France, Sweden, Germany and South Korea were also in the fray.

The Chinese models won due to their value for money since the same budget would buy only two units from the other countries, excluding weaponry, he said.
"If the cabinet approves the budget, the subs will be commissioned over the next 6-7 years," Kraisorn said.
"They are more like a deterrent, one that will reduce our dependence on surface vessels," the naval chief said.