What appears to be a commissioning ceremony for two of Thailand's Matchanu class submarine in 1938. They were 370 tons surfaced.
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Model of a Matchanu class submarine. Submarines, up to 1945, carried many objects on the hull and often had upturned bows - all leading to slow submerged speeds.
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Japan sold four Matchanu class submarines to Thailand in 1938, but Thailand closed down its submarine service in 1951, perhaps due to lack of use, cost and defeated Japan's inability to sustain those submarines.In recent years Thailand has been evaluating several small-medium submarine types with a view to restarting a submarine service. Thailand has several reasons for this evaluation, including the growth and modernisation of navies surrounding Thailand. Nearby countries have developed submarine services, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and China.
Bangladesh recently ordering two submarines from China and possible Burmese interest in Chinese submarines provide additional reasons for Thailand to buy submarines. Submarines provide a potent asymmetric defensive weapon for countries with small navies. Submarines also contribute to a country's and its Navy's prestige. The Royal Thai Navy has apparently established a submarine squadron at Sattahip naval base which has a German-made Rheinmetall submarine simulator, staffed by RTN officers who have received submarine training in Germany, as well as South Korea, over the past two years.
Most submarine building countries have offered to sell two or three submarines to Thailand, including:
- France-DCNS (small version of the Scorpene?)
- South Korea-DSME (Chang Bogo class, Type 209 derivative) or alternatively the unbuilt "HDS-500RTN" based on the unbuilt "KSS-500A" (510 tons, crew of 10) which is in-turn a descendant of Germany's HDW Type 207 (Kobben) small defensive submarines.
- China - the "S-26T" which may be a small version of China's Yuan class or used Ming class?
- Germany-TKMS-HDW Type 209/1400mod and also the Type 210mod
- Russia's improved Kilo class (Project 636)
- Sweden? (mysteriously silent). Perhaps two further refitted Sodermanland class? (currently Sweden's HMS Södermanland and HMS Östergötland).
COMMENT
Thailand has been hesitant in acquiring submarines possibly seeking leases, used subs or good credit terms. This is in a business environment where the Thai economy is growing more slowly than anticipated.
Thailand appears to be seeking smaller than standard submarines. If used submarines are considered the remaining German built Type 207s and Chinese Ming class are likely to be obsolete and rusty as they have long passed their 30 year use-buy dates. Design and construction of modern 500 ton submarines are likely to be expensive as they are smaller than standard - requiring higher than usual design costs for low production numbers. As Thailand has had no submarines for more than 60 years there is no easy answer to what Thailand needs - no simple replacement program. The German simulator may increase the chances that Germany or South Korea (using German designs) might eventually win any Thai order.
I'm wondering about the silence on Sweden. With Sweden's recently announced pre-order of two A26s this may free-up Sweden's two Sodermanland class (currently Sweden's HMS Södermanland and HMS Östergötland) for further refitting and sale to Thailand. This is noting there is a historical precedent where Sweden effectively created Singapore's submarine service using 4 Challenger class (refitted Swedish) submarines.
The question "what does Thailand want?" remains. Thailand may need small submarines for shallow, littoral waters in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea yet Thailand may also need medium sized submarines for longer range/endurance. Subs with AIP may be on Thailand's list of needs.
SOURCES
Pete