Taiwan marked a historic milestone on Thursday by revealing its first domestically developed submarine, signifying a pivotal advancement in its efforts to bolster national defense and deter potential threats from the Chinese navy. While this remarkable achievement won’t see immediate deployment, with a scheduled service entry two years from now, it carries substantial symbolic importance.
Taiwan, a territory claimed by China, has placed the indigenous submarine program at the forefront of its ambitious military modernization initiative. This move comes against the backdrop of frequent military exercises conducted by Beijing, asserting its sovereignty over Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen, who initiated this program in 2016, proudly unveiled the first of eight new submarines in the southern city of Kaohsiung.
In her address, President Tsai stated, “In the past, a domestically developed submarine was considered an impossible task. But, today, a submarine designed and manufactured by our country’s people sits before our eyes.” She emphasized the submarine’s vital role in bolstering the navy’s capabilities for “asymmetric warfare.”
Tsai underlined Taiwan’s determination to pursue self-reliant national defense, even in the face of risks and challenges. Standing before the ship, christened the Narwhal, she wrapped Taiwan’s red flag, featuring a white sun against a blue sky, around the submarine’s bow.
The Narwhal is set to join the Taiwanese Navy’s fleet in 2025, complementing the two existing submarines acquired from the Netherlands in the 1980s.
The success of the indigenous submarine program has been made possible through collaboration with various countries, a notable breakthrough for Taiwan, which is diplomatically isolated. Cheng Wen-lon, the head of Taiwan’s CSBC Corp, which led the submarine’s construction, mentioned that approximately 40% of the submarine’s components are of domestic origin. While foreign participation was not explicitly stated in his speech, it underscores the collaborative nature of the project.
Highlighting the enduring significance of the United States’ security relationship with Taiwan, Sandra Oudkirk, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, attended the unveiling ceremony. The United States remains Taiwan’s principal arms supplier.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, emphasized the necessity of strengthening defense capabilities in response to heightened military pressure from China’s “grey zone” tactics, including air and naval activities in proximity to the island. He stressed the vital role of submarines in deterring potential conflicts.
Taiwan’s ambitious plans envision the deployment of at least two domestically developed submarines by 2027, with the possibility of equipping later models with missiles, as indicated by the program’s head earlier this month.
The first submarine, with a price tag of T$49.36 billion ($1.53 billion), will utilize a combat system by Lockheed Martin Corp and will be armed with U.S.-made Mark 48 heavyweight torpedoes. Sea trials are scheduled to commence next month, with delivery to the navy anticipated by the end of 2024.
Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Tsai’s security adviser and leader of the program, has characterized these submarines as a “strategic deterrent” that can safeguard Taiwan’s “lifeline” to the Pacific by ensuring the accessibility of ports along the island’s eastern coast.
In essence, Taiwan’s unveiling of its indigenous submarine marks a substantial stride towards enhancing its national defense capabilities, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty in a complex geopolitical landscape.
