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Submarine Proliferation

Taiwan Current Capabilities

Capabilities | Import | Export

Updated January 2010

The Taiwanese Navy currently operates two Hai Lung-class (improved Dutch Zwaardvis-design) submarines - the Hai Lung (Sea Dragon) 793 and Hai Hu (Sea Tiger) 794 - which were acquired from the Netherlands and commissioned in 1987 and 1988 respectively. [10] Two former U.S. Navy Guppy II-class vessels which were delivered in 1973 - the Hai Shih and Hai Bao - are also still in service, but only for training purposes.[1] All of Taiwan's submarines operate out of Tsoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung. Taipei is interested in acquiring additional vessels but has been unsuccessful as a result of the political pressure that has been placed on potential exporters by mainland China, as well as domestic concerns about cost.

In addition to cross-strait tensions over the status of Taiwan, Taipei is also involved in various territorial disputes concerning the Spratly, Paracel, and Senkaku Islands. The Spratly Islands dispute involves Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei. The Paracel Islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, but occupied by China, while the Senkaku Islands (Senkaku-shoto/Diaoyu Tai) are occupied by Japan and claimed by China and Taiwan.

Taiwan's submarines are aimed at providing a capability to deter Chinese naval blockades and to ensure that its sea lanes remain open, thus protecting the trade on which the island depends.[2] In addition, Taiwan's submarines could be used to block Chinese ports but are unlikely to be capable of countering Beijing's superior submarine fleet.[3]

Since the acquisition of the two Hai Lung vessels in the 1980s, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has been exploring ways to procure new diesel submarines. This has, however, proved difficult as manufacturing countries are concerned about antagonizing China after it came close to severing relations with the Netherlands following the previous sale. [4] In April 2001, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush offered Taiwan a substantial arms package which included eight diesel-electric submarines. However, the United States has not produced diesel versions since the 1950s and does not possess any current designs. A possible alternative would be for European producers to provide a U.S. shipyard with a design, but they have been reluctant to do so for fear of antagonizing Beijing. In 2003, the US Department of Defense suggested that Taiwan might consider buying refurbished submarines and the Italian Ministry of Defense reportedly agreed to sell four Sauro-class boats, as well as an additional four following their decommissioning by the Italian Navy. But Taiwan rejected this offer, preferring instead to acquire new submarines.[5] Taiwan has reportedly also considered the possible purchase of Kilo-class submarines from Russia. [10]

In late 2004 the suggestion that the United States might build the submarines for Taiwan itself - which was voiced three years earlier in discussions over whether the U.S. Congress would support the Bush Administration's decision to assist in the sale - was repeated. The refurbishment of the Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is one of the most likely options for US-based production.[6] Taiwan has also been exploring the possibility of building submarines itself. A cross-ministry task force found that Taiwan's China Shipbuilding Corporation could build submarines without additional large-scale investment if provided with blueprints and submarine weapons systems. However, Taiwanese Vice Minister of National Defense Huo Shou-yeh said that the United States had indicated it would not help Taiwan build the boats in Kaohsiung.[7] (For more information on Taiwan's efforts to import submarines, please see the Taiwan: Import Behavior file.)

Following the election of Ma Ying-jeou's Kuomintang Party in 2008 it now appears less likely that Taiwan will actively pursue submarine procurement. Cross-strait relations have improved considerably since the new Taiwanese government took office and Taipei is unlikely to undermine this progress by purchasing new submarines. Furthermore, the Kuomintang Party had blocked passage of the relevant legislation in the Taiwanese legislature when it was in opposition in 2005, primarily due to the potential $7-11 billion cost of the vessels. [8] It does, therefore, appear to be more skeptical of the program irrespective of the effects that it may have on relations with Beijing. Nevertheless, there are still rumors that President Ma may be considering the resurrection of "Project Diving Dragon" which relates to the domestic construction of diesel-electric submarines at the China Shipbuilding Corporation. [11] The project was originally abandoned five years ago but indigenous construction may now be seen as less diplomatically sensitive than foreign procurement.

Although the Obama Administration has indicated that it is about to announce a new arms package for Taiwan, the deal is unlikely to include the eight diesel-electric submarines that were offered by George W. Bush in 2001. The United States is currently seeking an improvement in relations with China and although it wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the defense of Taiwan, it will most likely stop short of offering submarines and F-16 aircraft.

 

 

Sources:
[1] Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003).
[2] Anthony Leung, "The Fortress Above the Straits: Taiwan's Defence Revisited," Military Technology, April 2003, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 35; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, proquest.umi.com.
[3] Hong Che-cheng, Tai-Wan Jih-Pao, 11 November 2003; in "Defense Minister Tang on Taiwan's defense capability, submarine purchase," FBIS Document CPP20031112000124.
[4] John Pomfret and Philip Pan, "U.S. Hits Obstacles in Helping Taiwan Guard Against China," Washington Post, October 30, 2003, p. 1; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, proquest.umi.com.
[5] Wendell Minnick, "Submarine Decisions Show Lack of Creativity," Taipei Times, October 16, 2004; in Taiwan Security Research Website, taiwansecurity.org.
[6] Sharon Behn, "U.S. to Build 8 Subs in Deal with Taiwan," Washington Times, September 29, 2004; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[7] Rich Chang, "Agencies at Odds over Submarines," Taipei Times, April 15, 2005, p. 3, www.taipeitimes.com.
[8] Luis Huang, "Taiwan Defense Ministry to Prioritize Submarine Procurement," Central News Agency (Taipei), March 9, 2005; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[9] C.C. Lin and P.C. Tang, "New KMT Chairman Urged to Push for Quick Passage of Arms Package," Central News Agency (Taipei), August 5, 2005; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[10] "Taiwan Submarine Forces," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 18 October 2007.
[11] David Young, "Taiwan may build its own submarines," The China Post, www.chinapost.com.tw, 7 April 2009.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.