Europe, US, India, Japan willing to provide submarine tech to Taiwan

Republic of China Navy (Taiwanese Navy) Hai Lung and Hai Shih class submarines. Photo c/o South China Morning Post.

Several countries including the United States, India, Japan, and other European countries had offered to provide submarine construction technology to Taiwan to enable the island nation to build its first locally-made submarine.

Two companies from the US, two from Europe, as well as an Indian shipbuilder and Japanese contractor were said to have offered Taiwan the technology and design, and Taiwan was said to have chosen a design from one of the European companies. It is believed that the two European companies are France’s Naval Group (formerly DCNS), and Germany’s HDW.

But China is opposing such move, and warned countries of serious repercussions to peace and stability in the region, as well as damaging their diplomatic ties with China.

China considers Taiwan as a break-away province, and forces countries to adhere to the One-China Policy currently accepted by all major countries and the United Nations.

Taiwan currently operate 4 submarines, 2 of which are of World War II origin and needs immediate replacement. Taiwan has seek for countries to sell submarines to them, but failed as countries did not want to damage relations with China by selling submarines to Taiwan.

Taiwan has shifted its strategy and now prefers to acquire submarine construction technology for them to be able to build a submarine of their own. It now plans to build 8 new submarines.



[1] Xinhua
[2] Times of India
[3] The Diplomat