“Taiwan has completed the first underwater sea trials of its first self-developed Narwhal submarine near the southern port of Kaohsiung, a key milestone in a program to strengthen the island’s defense capabilities amid threats from China.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: Reuters with reference to the statement of the Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation CSBC
Details: The company reported that the submarine successfully completed a test of diving and navigation in shallow water. The program to build its own submarine was based on the experience and technology of several countries, including the United States and Great Britain.
Advertising:
The cost of the first submarine is NT$49.36 billion (about US$1.58 billion). The ship uses the combat system of the American corporation Lockheed Martin and is armed with heavy torpedoes Mark 48 manufactured in the United States. In the future, Taiwan plans to build a total of eight such submarines, some of which may be equipped with missiles.
Taiwan plans to deploy at least two self-made submarines by 2027.
“Due to international restrictions and pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan’s submarine-building program has faced various difficulties and challenges since its inception,” CSBC Corp said in a statement.
Currently, the island has only two submarines in service, purchased from the Netherlands back in the 1980s.
What preceded:
- Taipei is actively implementing the concept of “asymmetric warfare,” using mobile and maneuverable systems such as submarines, drones, and vehicle-mounted missile launchers. This should help the island stand up to China’s vastly superior military, which already has three aircraft carriers and an extensive submarine fleet.
- In the spring of 2025, Taiwan presented its first unmanned boat Endeavor Mantacreated on the model of Ukrainian naval drones, which are effectively used in the war against Russia.
- In November 2025, Taiwan President Lai Tsinghe announced the government’s decision increase the country’s defense budget by $40 billion amid an unprecedentedly growing military threat from China.