Taiwan on Thursday unveiled its first domestically-built submarine as the self-ruling island seeks to bolster its military deterrent in the face of increasing Chinese threats.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony of the submarine “Narwhal”—which is also referred to as “Hai Kun” in Taiwan—in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Sept. 28.
The submarine will be delivered to the navy after completing harbor and sea acceptance tests. Ms. Tsai said it will enter service in 2025 alongside two existing submarines purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s.
“In the past, a domestically made submarine was considered impossible, but today a submarine designed and built by our countrymen is in front of you. We did it!” she said at the ceremony, according to her office.
Ms. Tsai said that submarines are vital for Taiwan’s navy to develop “asymmetric combat power” in strategy and tactics. She also called for national defense independence to ensure resilient combat capabilities.
“Even if there are risks and no matter how many challenges there are, Taiwan must take this step and let the policy of independent national defense grow and thrive on our soil,” she added.
This marks a major milestone for diplomatically isolated Taiwan, which had faced challenges in acquiring defense technology after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) blocked it from dealing with foreign sources.
Taiwan reportedly gained expertise and technology from several countries, including its major arms supplier, the United States, to build its own submarine. Cheng Wen-lon, head of Taiwan’s CSBC Corp., said that 40 percent of the submarine’s components were domestically produced.
Mr. Cheng made no explicit mention of foreign participation during his speech at the launch ceremony. Sandra Oudkirk, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, also attended the ceremony.
The first submarine, with a price tag of T$49.36 billion ($1.53 billion), will use a combat system by Lockheed Martin Corp. and carry U.S.-made Mark-48 heavyweight torpedoes. It will enter sea trials next month.
Commenting on Taiwan’s submarine launch, China’s Defense Ministry said the self-governing island was “attempting something impossible.”
Taiwan to Thwart China’s Blockade
The CCP regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must be united with mainland China by any means necessary, even as Taiwan has been a self-governing democracy since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949 and has never been controlled by the CCP.He said that preventing Chinese military from approaching the “first island chain” would open up more room for other nations to extend support to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense strategy is focused on the island’s northeastern waters and the Bashi Channel, the passage between the Philippines’ Mavulis Island and Taiwan’s Orchid Island, he said, adding that China will likely seek Russia’s support in the East China Sea.
“In the event of a serious attack, China will likely lean on Russia to send their navy in the East China Sea to ward off support from Japan and the U.S. They will want to isolate Taiwan and finish off the invasion as soon as possible,” he said.
“Taiwan can’t be surrounded by China from all sides. Otherwise, we'll be doomed,” Adm. Huang added.
