Taiwan expected to launch its first new indigenous attack submarine by September 2022

A scale model of the still unnamed indigenous diesel-electric attack submarine from Taiwan. Photo c/o CNA.

The first of Taiwan’s new indigenous diesel-electric attack submarine is expected to be launched by its shipbuilder by September 2022.

This was reported by Taiwanese media outlet Central News Agency, citing an unnamed source.

The submarine is expected to undergo Harbor Acceptance Tests and Sea Acceptance Tests after launching, which could take another one to two years after its launch.

The first submarine is expected to start operating with the Republic of China Navy (RoCN) by 2025, and seven other submarines will undergo a similar process.

Based on the scale models released in previous events, Taiwan’s indigenous submarine have an X-form rudder similar to those found on Japan’s Soryu and Oyashio-class submarines, and are expected to be built using Japanese construction techniques.

The submarines are also expected to be armed with American munitions including the Mark 48 Mod 6 Advanced Heavyweight Torpedo, and the Boeing UGM-84L Sub-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles.

The development and construction of new submarines is one of Taiwan’s major nation defense projects given priority by the administration of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, and has been allocated a budget of NT$49.36 billion (US$1.69 billion) between 2019 to 2025.




[1] Central News Agency Taiwan
[2] Taiwan News
[3] Navy Recognition