Taiwan unveiled its first domestically built submarine today, marking a significant step in a project aimed at enhancing the island's defensive and deterrent capabilities against the Chinese navy, though it will not enter service for another two years. President Tsai Ing-wen, who initiated the program upon taking office in 2016, revealed the first of eight new submarines in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.
Tsai stated, "In the past, developing a domestic submarine was considered an impossible task. But today, before our eyes stands a submarine designed and built by the people of our country," adding that it would play an important role in strengthening naval capabilities. Tsai, standing in front of the submarine "Narwhal," emphasized that "even if there are risks, regardless of the number of existing challenges, Taiwan has to take this step and allow the self-reliant national defense policy to grow and flourish on our land." The Taiwanese flag was wrapped around the bow of the submarine.
She continued, "The Narwhal will enter service in 2025, joining two existing submarines purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s." Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, has made its local submarine program a key component of a long-standing ambitious initiative to modernize its armed forces, as Beijing conducts near-daily military drills to assert its sovereignty.
The first submarine, costing 49.36 billion Taiwanese dollars (1.53 billion US dollars), will be equipped with a combat system from American company Lockheed Martin and heavy American torpedoes of the Mark-48 type. The first submarine will undergo sea trials next month before being delivered to the fleet by the end of 2024.
