Navy stranded without submarine or frigate amid budget crunch

Amid the uncertainty and delay in its submarine acquisition, the Royal Thai Navy suffered another setback when its slim hopes of procuring a frigate were dashed by lawmakers. 

A House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the budget rejected the Navy’s proposal to buy the warship, citing budget constraints and a poor procurement plan.

Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang said his government was not able to arrange enough budget for the Navy to purchase a 17-billion-baht frigate to replace its aging fleet in fiscal year 2024.

The national defense budget would have been too high, as the Navy continues to remain interested in the submarine project, he said.

Government MPs, mostly from the ruling Pheu Thai Party in the House budget committee, voted against the Navy’s frigate proposal. In contrast, opposition MPs backed the frigate plan. They argued that it was necessary to ensure…