Thailand reported near submarine deal with Germany
Bangkok – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has approved a plan for the Royal Thai Navy to purchase six secondhand submarines from Germany for 7.7 billion baht (257 million dollars), a newspaper reported Monday.
The U-206 Class subs, which are intended for missions in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, would constitute Thailand’s first submarine fleet, to be commanded by Rear Admiral Suriya Pornsuriya, the Bangkok Post said.
The Thai navy has had submarines on its wish list for many years. It commissioned its first aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, in 1997.
