ASEAN Defense: Indonesia plans build submarines as Thailand buys de-commissioned German subs

Blog Note:

• Talk about an idiotic move by Thailand‘s navy!

The Bangkok Post reports the cabinet just allocated about US$250 million to buy some German submarines that are going to be de-commissioned by Germany-with the Thai navy saying the subs has about 10 years life span left.

Meanwhile, probably because the plan is just so crazy, the Thai generals spent about a billion years explaining to the Bangkok Post journalist why the subs are important in protecting Thailand’s oceanic resources interest.

Then the deputy prime minister, Suthep, also spent about a billion years more explaining how important the sub purchase is.

Then some other Democrat Party, low ranking member, spent about another billion years doing the same thing-all over again.

The effort is, off course, to head off criticism of the purchase.

Well, the following is from Naval Technology, about Indonesia’s plan to build submarines-and it points to long-term commitment to protect its national security-and also help improve its economy with a vibrant local defense industry.

Off course, the Thai general think differently.

And that is because, like anything else, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

And being part of the royalist, elite and military rulers of Thailand they have the absolute power-like who dares tell the Thai generals-something like, “submarines operates under-the water all the time” especially the German subs in the deep waters of the Atlantic.

And so the life of sailors are at stake against a structure, like old sub, that have had to face loads and loads of stress for years and years.

The following is from Naval Technology:

Indonesia will, for the first time, start producing combat submarines in a move to strengthen its naval force and maintain sovereignty, Defence Minister Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro has said.

The building of modern warships will not only reinforce the navy’s capabilities, but also intensify the local defence industry, Purnomo said.

The manufacture of the submarines is scheduled to complete by 2010, according to Tempo Interactive.

The local defence industry was successful in manufacturing armoured cars and SS1 and SS2 weapons, he said.

Meanwhile:

UK Merlin helicopters and personnel from 820 Naval Air Squadron will be deployed in the Gulf region and the Indian Ocean to counter piracy and maritime terrorism.

The Merlin helicopters are primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare, but due to their size, speed and technological capability, they are also used in maritime security operations.

The helicopter will provide surveillance of shipping routes, detect and deter pirate activity, and is also capable of neutralising threats to commercial and leisure vessels in the area.

The aircraft can carry Royal Marines for sniper operations and boarding through ropes, and is also fitted with heavy duty machine guns and thermal imaging equipment.

Deputy Force Commander of the Merlin Helicopter Force Lieutenant Commander Neil Brian said the deployment of the helicopter would enhance the navy’s ability to counter the constant threat that piracy poses to vessels of all nations.

The international anti-piracy efforts are co-ordinated by the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) based in Bahrain.

Meanwhile:

India is building nuclear steam reactors for its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Arihant, Atomic Energy Commission head Srikumar Banerjee has said.

The submarine will be powered by a light water reactor (LWR) using enriched uranium, from the Mysore rare materials plant, as fuel, according to RIA Novosti.

Banerjee said the nuclear steam supply system was 100% ready.

“We are only waiting for other systems to become operational so that we can start the commissioning activity of the reactor. I really do not know when the harbour trials will be done,” he added.

Related Articles

• Foreign Direct Investment Intelligence: As Indonesia and Malaysia surges, “Corruption & Lack of Transparency” hampers Thai defense industry (thaiintelligentnews.wordpress.com)
• You: Thailand reported near submarine deal with Germany (earthtimes.org)
• USA-Thai Series (3): The USA is going to “Get Screwed” in Thailand by China (thaiintelligentnews.wordpress.com)
• Narcotics Intelligence: Woul “Advance-Narco-Subs” dive its way to SE Asia waters & a Japanese fox to dive for (thaiintelligentnews.wordpress.com)
• Note: The “Thai China Strategic Alliance” suffers a Chinese defense industry failures (thaiintelligentnews.wordpress.com)