China uses infrastructure projects, trade and military arm sales to make geopolitical and economic gains

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The Royal Thai Navy has chosen Chinese-made models for its 36-billion-baht (US$1.1 billion)submarine project. Thailand will also get three submarines, plus an eight-year weaponry and parts support package.

Since last year’s coup in Thailand, Bangkok has been working on expanding its ties with China and this submarine purchase is a good step in that direction.

The submarines to be acquired are commonly referred to as the Type 041 though their actual designation in China is Type 039B; their NATO designation is Yuan. Yuan class submarines have been in commission in China’s People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) since 2006 and so far 12 have been launched with more on the way. Pakistan is currently in talks to procure eight in the coming years.

The Type 039B features advanced weaponry and an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system which allows the submarine to stay underwater for longer periods of time than a traditional diesel-electric submarine. This technology is based on Stirling engines imported from Sweden in the 1980s. This is the first time that Chinese built submarines have been chosen by a country in an open competition. Chinese submarines have been exported before to Bangladesh and Pakistan but in those cases they were direct orders.

The Chinese submarines were picked over competing German, Norwegian, South Korean, Swedish and Russian Submarines.

China has decided to build a medium-speed rail alternative to support cargo transport instead of high speed rail for its China to Thailand rail system.

The project is part of China’s “One Belt, One Road” Silk Road initiative aiming to develop trade and transport infrastructure across Asia and Europe