The navy plans to set up a committee to consider a new frigate acquisition project while its ambitious submarine procurement scheme remains in limbo.
Navy chief Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said another modern surface combatant is being mulled as the navy's acquisition of a S26T Yuan-class submarine from China faces further delays.
The navy has not yet decided whether to replace the German-made MTU396 diesel engine that was supposed to power the S26T Yuan-class submarine with a CHD620 engine recommended by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co.