Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AFP

Taiwan has begun sea trials for its first domestically built submarine, which is part of the island's plan to strengthen its military defense against the growing threat from China. The submarine is a key part of Taiwan’s larger project that was launched in 2016, aiming to build a fleet of eight submarines.

Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign nation, but China claims it as part of its territory and has openly threatened to annex the island by force if necessary. This tension has led Taiwan to work hard to increase its military strength, especially to protect itself from a potential Chinese attack.

The submarine trials started in the southern port of Kaohsiung, almost two years after the submarine was first revealed. On Tuesday, the shipbuilder, CSBC Corp, confirmed that the first stage of the trial, known as a “floating navigation test,” was successfully completed. Following this, the company said that based on the test results, they would continue to make adjustments and prepare for the next phase, which involves submerged navigation tests.

The submarine is 80 meters (262 feet) long, weighs between 2,500 and 3,000 tons, and is equipped with advanced combat systems and torpedoes from the U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin. Taiwan’s goal is to complete the sea trials by September 30 and to deliver the submarine by the end of November.

However, the submarine program has faced some challenges. The main opposition parties in Taiwan, the Kuomintang, and the Taiwan People’s Party, have frozen part of the submarine program’s funding. They have said they want to see the results of the sea trials before agreeing to release more funds.

Taiwan, despite being much smaller and weaker than China militarily, is trying to focus on developing more flexible and effective defense strategies, such as using submarines and drones. These technologies are seen as key to defending the island against a much stronger enemy.

At present, Taiwan’s navy only has two operational submarines, which were purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s. Meanwhile, China has developed one of the world’s largest navies, including nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, making Taiwan’s efforts to build up its military even more critical.

Taiwan’s focus on creating these new submarines is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities and protect its sovereignty against China’s growing military power.