BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Navy will keep a close watch on a Myanmar attack submarine, which is going to be sent to the Andaman Sea for security missions.
According to the Bangkok Post, Myanmar had acquired a diesel-powered Kilo-class submarine from India and was expected to begin operations on Dec 24.
Thai navy deputy chief of staff Vice-Admiral Prachachart Sirisawat said the 3rd Naval Area Command, which oversees territories in the Andaman Sea, had been told to monitor the submarine, which can operate underwater for up to 45 days.
Reports said Myanmar was planning to use the submarine for security and to protect its maritime interests.
India had been buying the Russian-made Kilo-class submarines since 1980 and modified them to improve capacity.
The model has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes and is known for its quiet operation.
It can be equipped with various weapons and can dive to a depth of 300m and accommodate 52 officers.
“Myanmar is going to increase its military efficiency,” Pracha-chart said, referring to its plan to enter talks with Russia to buy more Kilo-class submarines.
Thailand is in the process of buying three submarines from China after the previous coup-appointed government approved the 36 billion baht purchase, the first in more than 60 years.
The navy signed an agreement to buy a Yuan-class S26T submarine worth 13.5 billion baht from China in 2017. Its construction began on Sept 7 last year in China, and was expected to be delivered to the navy in 2023.
The navy reportedly had asked the government to buy a second submarine, but a final decision would depend on the House of Representatives, which was considering the state’s budget request for the next fiscal year.
Prachachart also rejected rumours that surfaced last month about a “budget suspension”, that the navy would suspend the submarine plan and instead buy less expensive frigates.
“That is just a confusion in communication.”