It's about time. Those 2 Dutch-made
Hai Lung/Zvardis class SSKs they bought in the 1980s are outnumbered by the sheer might of the Chinese PLA Navy's SSK and SSN force which numbers at 60+ subs and growing. While the other 2 ex-USN
Hai Ou/Guppy type subs are only used for training.
Defense NewsQuote:
Taiwan announces plan to build own submarines
By: The Associated Press, March 21, 2017
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan will build its own submarines to get around Beijing's efforts to prevent it from purchasing such craft from overseas and ensure an adequate defense against Chinese threats, President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday.
During a visit to the Navy's main base in Tsoying, also spelled Zuoying, Tsai oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the construction of submarines.
"Under the strategic concept of effective and multilayered deterrence, subsurface combat ability is what Taiwan's defense is most in need of strengthening," Tsai said. "This is a problem that everyone is aware of but which in the past we were never able to resolve."
Defense News' correspondent in the region, Mike Yeo, says Taiwan’s submarine program is still in its infancy, as there is very little firm detail.
(...SNIPPED)