Thailand is tracking a submarine that was transferred from India to Myanmar in December 2021 by the Indian Navy, according to a report by The Bangkok Post. The submarine, which is named INS Sindhughosh, is one of two Kilo-class submarines that India is transferring to Myanmar under a $380 million deal. The deal was signed in 2013 and the first submarine was delivered in December 2021.
The report says that Thailand is tracking the submarine because it is concerned about the growing military capabilities of Myanmar. Myanmar has been in the midst of a civil war since February 2021 and the Thai government is concerned that the submarine could be used by the Myanmar military to attack Thai territory.
The Thai government has not commented on the report, but it has previously expressed concerns about the transfer of the submarine to Myanmar. In December 2021, the Thai foreign ministry said that it was “monitoring the situation closely” and that it would take “appropriate measures” if the submarine was used to threaten Thailand’s security.
The transfer of the submarine to Myanmar has also been criticized by human rights groups. Human Rights Watch has said that the transfer is “irresponsible” and that it could be used by the Myanmar military to commit further human rights abuses.
It remains to be seen how Thailand will track the submarine or what action it will take if it is used to threaten Thailand’s security. However, the tracking of the submarine is a sign of the growing tensions between Thailand and Myanmar. The submarine, which is a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, is the first submarine that Myanmar has acquired in over 20 years.
