28-9-2023 (TAIPEI) Taiwan took a significant step in bolstering its defenses against China by unveiling its first domestically built submarine on Thursday, September 28. This development comes as Taiwan faces increased military and political pressure from China, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory and has escalated warplane incursions and diplomatic isolation efforts over the past year.
In response to these challenges, Taiwan has allocated a record-breaking $19 billion for defense spending in 2024, primarily to acquire military equipment from its key ally, the United States. However, Taiwan’s efforts to acquire a submarine have encountered various obstacles.
Taiwan’s 1st Indigenous Defense Submarine.pic.twitter.com/IAWgJKU1YK
— Alpha Defense™ (@alpha_defense) September 28, 2023
President Tsai Ing-wen, who has been at odds with Beijing due to her refusal to accept China’s authority over the island, initiated a submarine program in 2016 with the goal of delivering a fleet of eight vessels. The first prototype, named “Hai Kun,” meaning “mythical sea creature” in Chinese, was unveiled at a ceremony in the southern port city of Kaohsiung.
Tsai proudly declared, “History will forever remember this day,” as she stood before the vessel adorned with Taiwan’s flag colours. She emphasized that, in the past, building submarines domestically was considered “Mission Impossible,” but now, a submarine designed and built by Taiwanese engineers is a reality.
Hai Kun has a length of 80 meters and a displacement weight ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 tons. It is equipped with combat systems and torpedoes sourced from the US defense company Lockheed Martin. The submarine will undergo sea trials, with Tsai stating that it would be operational by 2025, although some defense analysts believe it may take longer.
Taiwan’s navy currently operates two working submarines, Swordfish-class vessels purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s. In 2001, Washington initially approved an offer to supply Taiwan with eight conventional submarines, but the sale never materialized.
Meanwhile, China has rapidly expanded its navy over the same period, becoming one of the world’s largest navies, with nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. The US Department of Defense estimates that China has around 60 submarines, including six nuclear-powered submarines armed with ballistic missiles.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Taiwan’s strategic advantage lies in deploying its submarines at two major choke points, the Bashi Channel and the Miyako Strait, which can significantly impede China’s naval movements.
Ben Lewis, an independent expert on the Chinese military, explained that the new submarine poses a threat to China’s amphibious assault and troop transport capabilities, disrupting vessels not designed for naval warfare.
However, Zivon Wang, a military analyst at the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, cautioned that there is still a long road ahead before the submarine becomes “combat capable.” He described the launch as a crucial element of Taiwan’s defense strategy and part of its efforts to enhance deterrence capabilities.
In response to Taiwan’s submarine deployment, China’s state-run Global Times published an op-ed calling it a “daydream,” dismissing it as an illusion in Taiwan’s attempt to resist reunification by force.
