Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha explained that they would supply three submarines from China, two of which they would buy and the other was to be a gift. China wants about $ 392 million for two submarines. In return, China's Yuan class 039A submarine-derived Yuan class S26 T will be gifted.
With this announcement, the way to Thailand's sub surface capabilities got opened. The country, which acquired first submarine of Asia in 1937, does not own one since 1951. The country wanted to assign the submarine in the Gulf of Thailand since 1995. With this explanation, the country is achieving its most desired goal.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)