Gen Prawit also instructed the navy to launch a public relations drive to "educate" people about the necessity to have the submarines for defence purposes.

Assistant navy chief Narongsak Nabangchang, who heads the procurement project, has published a white paper containing essential background information about the submarines.

The source said Thursday that if the cabinet approves the funding plan, the first submarine will be bought at a cost of 13 billion baht between fiscal years 2017-2021.

The second and third submarines will be purchased under the tied-over budget during the remainder of the 11-year period, the source added.

"Considering the indications from Gen Prawit and the prime minister, we are confident that they support the purchase plan and recognise the necessity to buy the submarines, though the plan may have to wait for the right time before it is brought before the cabinet," the source said.

"The current government understands the importance of maritime security operations and, if the navy cannot buy the submarines during this government, there is no knowing whether it will be able to buy them when the next government come to power," the sources said.

With th establishment of the Asean Economic Community, and Myanmar's Dawei deep-sea port and special economic zone development project, the navy's maritime security tasks will become more complicated and a new submarine fleet is needed to help support its missions, the sources said.

The navy will stuck to its plan to buy the three submarines from China as recommended last year by an navy
committee set up study details of the procurement project, the sources said.

Source : bangkokpost.com