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| Chinese Yuan class submarine (Image: Want China Times) |
The state-run China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation officially introduced its S-26T submarine to the defense ministry of Thailand on Jan. 12 to strengthen the military-to-military relationship between Beijing and Bangkok, according to Duowei News, an outlet operated by overseas Chinese.
After the decommissioning of the Royal Thai Navy's four Matchanu-class submarines, the nation has not operated submarines for more than 60 years. Now, however, some officials in the country's military government believe submarines are needed to defend the nation's freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Thailand. To rebuild its submarine fleet, the government decided to buy two or three submarines in Fiscal year 2016. China is the third nation to demonstrate interest in selling submarines to Thailand, after France and South Korea.
Read the full story at Want China Times