The Royal Thai Navy will hold talks with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) this month on the submarine engine issue, according to navy spokesman Vice Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin.
The navy will work with CSOC to resolve the problem even though it stands by a purchase-agreement stipulation specifying use of MTU396 diesel engines from Germany to run the vessel’s electric generator set, he said.
The spokesman said the navy expects to hold talks with CSOC in the middle of this month over the engine problem, although he declined to comment on possible solutions.
Under the contract, the sub’s engines must be supplied by Germany’s MTU, but the company has refused to sell the engines to China since they are designated a military/defence item.
Navy commander Adm Somprasong Nilsamai insisted yesterday China would have to comply with the submarine…
