The Royal Thai Navy is considering purchasing two South Korean submarines instead of six second-hand German submarines, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has said.

The defence minister’s proposal for two new Hyundai-built Type U-209 Class diesel-electric submarines could cost over THB40bn ($1.32bn) and will require a tied-over budget spanning years.

The navy has agreed to the proposal as long as the new South Korean submarines were based on German technology, a navy source said.

“But if that costs more than 40bn-50bn baht, the government may not approve it and the Navy will end up without any submarines,” the source added.

The Korean Type U-209 Class submarine has a displacement capacity of 1,200t and can accommodate a crew of 30, according to the Bangkok Post.

The 7.7bn-baht ($255m) German submarines have a usable life of only six or seven years compared with the new submarines.

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact