Leader Thái Anh Văn on November 24 announced that Taiwan had started building a fleet of submarines to increase its defenses.
We are showing the world Taiwan's strong will to defend sovereignty, ”leader Thai Anh Van said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the shipyard construction in the port city of Kaohsiung on November 24.
Ms. Thai called this "a milestone" in the development of the defense capacity of this island. "Submarines are an important weapon to develop asymmetric combat capabilities and prevent enemy ships from encircling Taiwan", Ms. Thai added.
Taiwan's move comes amid heightened tensions between the island and mainland China. In recent times, Beijing has also increased its military activities around the island. The Chinese government considers Taiwan a separatist province and does not rule out the possibility of using force to regain the island.
Taiwanese officials said the plan will provide eight new-generation submarines, which are expected to hand over the first one in 2024. Currently Taiwan's defense force has only 4 submarines, of which 2 are ships built by the Americans in 1940.
In the past, selling submarines to Taiwan was a sensitive issue as Washington feared it would negatively affect relations with Beijing. Germany and Spain, two countries that specialize in exporting submarines, also refuse to grant ships to Taiwan for fear of China.
However, the administration of President Donald Trump has approved a contract to sell weapons to Taiwan with a total value of 18 billion USD. Trump also allows US businesses to participate in Taiwan's submarine development program.