KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan. Taiwan reached a historic milestone today as President Tsai Ing-wen launched the island’s first domestically produced submarine for testing at a port in Kaohsiung. This significant development marks a major breakthrough in Taiwan’s shipbuilding and design capabilities, with the potential to reshape its defense capabilities.
“In the past, a domestic-made submarine was considered impossible, but today a submarine designed and built by our countrymen is in front of you,” President Tsai Ing-wen proudly declared during the launch ceremony, highlighting the significance of this achievement.
The United States has been actively encouraging Taiwan to invest in smaller and lighter weapons, such as this reduced-size submarine, as part of an effort to develop asymmetric warfare strategies.
The head of Taiwan’s CSBC Corp., Cheng Wen-lon, who oversaw the submarine’s construction, described the process as “torturous” but emphasized the dedication and hard work of those involved. “Although we have worked quietly during the past several years, it doesn’t mean the process was very smooth,” Cheng Wen-lon remarked during the ceremony held at CSBC’s shipyard.
This remarkable endeavor took seven years of meticulous design and construction, and the prototype will now undergo a series of tests in the harbor before venturing into open waters. The submarine has been named “Hai Kun,” after a legendary fish in Chinese mythology known for its remarkable proportions. It will only be handed over to the military after successfully passing both harbor and ocean-faring tests.
Taiwan’s ambitious plan includes the construction of another submarine if the Hai Kun proves successful, with both submarines expected to be deployed by 2027, according to the semi-official Central News Agency.
Taiwan embarked on this costly and time-consuming journey to build its submarines in response to Beijing’s attempts to prevent it from purchasing such vessels from abroad through economic and diplomatic pressure.
In recent years, China has significantly increased its military activities near Taiwan, conducting fighter jet patrols and naval exercises in the waters and airspace surrounding the island. China’s Defense Ministry issued a statement on Thursday, condemning Taiwan’s submarine construction as “heading down the path of its own destruction.” Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, reiterated Beijing’s stance, stating that no number of weapons purchases by Taiwan would deter the “greater trend of reunification with the motherland.”
Colonel Wu Qian further characterized China’s recent live-fire exercises near Taiwan as routine drills, part of its annual plan to test troop effectiveness and joint-operation capabilities with different weapons and among different branches. He made these comments during a monthly news conference.
Notably, the launch ceremony of the domestically made submarine was attended by the heads of the U.S. de facto embassy, Sandra Oudkirk, as well as representatives from the Japanese and South Korean trade delegations based in Taiwan, underscoring the international significance of this development in the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
