Does the Thai Navy commander want to help China deter in the South China Sea? | World

Last week, Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper published a snapshot of a letter allegedly sent to Mr. Xu Zhanbin, deputy director of the China National Defense Industry Technology Office. Through the letter, General Luechai suggested that the Chinese side send representatives to secretly go to Thailand to sign the necessary agreements to promote the purchase of the second and third submarines.

Earlier, in late August, due to the economy being severely affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, the Thai government announced that it would halt the plan to buy the remaining 2 ships from China’s order to purchase 3 submarines. In 2015, Thailand approved a plan to purchase three Chinese Yuan-class submarines (Type-039A). For 2017, Thailand officially approved the order of the first for 13.5 billion baht (about 431 million dollars), which is expected to be delivered in 2023. And this year, Thailand is expected to place the order. The other 2. But in late August, the Thai government announced that it would suspend plans to buy the remaining 2 aircraft.

The photo is believed to be a snapshot of the letter posted by Khaosod.

The photo is believed to be a snapshot of the letter posted by Khaosod.

Not only that, in the copy of the letter above, General Luechai also mentioned the Type-071 amphibious ship that Thailand ordered from China last year. The ship is in the process of completion. By letter, General Luechai suggested that the Type-071 ship sold to Thailand would have the same equipment as the ship of the same type that the Chinese navy is using.

That helps create a “strategic deterrent,” Luechai said when Thailand sends the Type-071 amphibious ship to operate in the Gulf of Thailand or the South China Sea. This would make “the other parties” understand that the Type-071 is capable of unlimited offshore operations. “

The Truong Bach Son type-071 landing craft was used by China for the Southern War Zone fleet.

In another passage in the letter, Mr. Luechai went on to mention that: “It demonstrates the deterrence and willingness of the Chinese navy in Southeast Asia.” And the naval general of Thailand suggested that the country’s Type 71 amphibious ship should be equipped with a 76mm AK-176MA cannon, 4 AK-630 30mm melee artillery systems.

In recent years, China has increased its amphibious capacity with many types of warships such as Type-071, Type-075. In particular, the Type-071 amphibious ship is about 210 meters long, has a displacement of about 25,000 tons, can carry a variety of weapons, such as the amphibious assault ship, and carry a large number of soldiers. With a range of about 19,000 km and a speed of about 45 km / h, the Type-071 can also carry Z-8 multitasking armed helicopters. Some Chinese Type-071 amphibious ships such as Kunlunshan, Cuong Son province, have conducted exercises in the South China Sea, causing many concerns.