A gradual submarine arms buildup is continuing among Southeast Asian countries. Southeast Asian countries already owning submarines include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. This buildup also marks strengthening preferences for China, away from the traditional US ally.
The main impetus seems to be China providing soft loans and projects in Southeast Asian countries along with provision of sophisticated weapons at low prices. Possible new Southeast Asian buyers of submarines include:
[US$380 million] to buy a [Yuan derived S26T] submarine from China...Thai officials said [on
January 25, 2017]. Relations have been strengthening between China and America's oldest ally in
Southeast Asia, particularly since ties with the United States cooled after [the US criticised
Thailand’s] 2014 coup.”
= see the whole Reuters article, also
= see Submarine Matters March 25, 2015article on new submarines for Thailand.
and
- the Philippines. Update Philippines, January 26, 2017, reported: [Philippines Defense] Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana said the country is now evaluating Russia’s offer to sell the Philippines some of
its advanced diesel-electric submarines....[the Philippines is] determining whether Kilo submarines
are]essential for the modernization needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and whether the
country can afford to acquire and maintain such an expensive weapons platform...Six Russian-
made Kilo-class submarines are now being operated by Vietnam People’s Navy [just across the
South China Sea from the Philippines]...The Armed Forces of the Philippines is expected to
acquire its own...submarines under the AFP Modernization Program which is now entering the 2nd
Horizon (2018-2022)..." See whole Update Philippines article
China is also well positioned to sell likely even cheaper Yuan derived S20 and S26 to anti-US President Duterte's Philippines.
Pete
The main impetus seems to be China providing soft loans and projects in Southeast Asian countries along with provision of sophisticated weapons at low prices. Possible new Southeast Asian buyers of submarines include:
[US$380 million] to buy a [Yuan derived S26T] submarine from China...Thai officials said [on
January 25, 2017]. Relations have been strengthening between China and America's oldest ally in
Southeast Asia, particularly since ties with the United States cooled after [the US criticised
Thailand’s] 2014 coup.”
= see the whole Reuters article, also
= see Submarine Matters March 25, 2015article on new submarines for Thailand.
and
- the Philippines. Update Philippines, January 26, 2017, reported: [Philippines Defense] Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana said the country is now evaluating Russia’s offer to sell the Philippines some of
its advanced diesel-electric submarines....[the Philippines is] determining whether Kilo submarines
are]essential for the modernization needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and whether the
country can afford to acquire and maintain such an expensive weapons platform...Six Russian-
made Kilo-class submarines are now being operated by Vietnam People’s Navy [just across the
South China Sea from the Philippines]...The Armed Forces of the Philippines is expected to
acquire its own...submarines under the AFP Modernization Program which is now entering the 2nd
Horizon (2018-2022)..." See whole Update Philippines article
China is also well positioned to sell likely even cheaper Yuan derived S20 and S26 to anti-US President Duterte's Philippines.
Pete