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Navy to embark on
submarine program
TAKING THE DIVE: After several years of
prevarication, the navy is to develop its own unique prototype, while US
companies have been told to stay away from the program
By J. Michael Cole / Staff Reporter
After more than a decade of delays and reversals, the navy has confirmed that it
will embark on a domestic submarine program next year, with a prototype to be
delivered within three to four years.
Taiwanese and US sources told the Taipei Times earlier this month that
officials from the Taiwanese Navy had briefed a small group of legislators from
the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a classified meeting late last
month or early this month. Legislators from the Democratic Progressive Party are
also said to have attended the meeting.
While not mentioning the initial meeting with legislators, the Chinese-language
United Daily News reported yesterday that the navy would brief senior
government officials and legislators on the issue and seek budgets for the
program within two months.
One US source, who has been actively involved in efforts to procure submarines
for Taiwan over the years, told the Taipei Times in a meeting on Feb. 11
that an unspecified budget for the 2013 financial year has been set aside for a
domestic diesel-electric submarine program, which would involve a unique design
and assistance from one or a number of foreign countries.
The navy is reportedly aiming for a design with a relatively light displacement
of between 1,000 tonnes and 1,500 tonnes.
A navy official told the Taipei Times earlier this month that the
acquisition of submarines from the US remains the preferred option and that the
door ¡X at least on Taipei¡¦s side ¡X has not been closed on such a course of
action.
However, after more than a decade of aborted efforts following the offer by the
administration of former US president George W. Bush in 2001 to provide eight
diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan for the sum of about US$12 billion, Taipei
has since resigned itself to the reality that it will likely have to build them
itself or acquire them from a third party, analysts say.
Local media have reported that three countries have expressed an interest in
either assisting Taiwan develop its own submarine prototype or selling it ships
recently decommissioned from their own fleets.
Although it did not exclude such a possibility, the Ministry of National Defense
yesterday would not provide confirmation on the matter.
One country, Germany, has often been rumored to be a possible candidate for the
program. However, an official at the German Institute, Taipei denied yesterday
any knowledge of such efforts as being underway.
Greece has been another country that has been rumored as a possible candidate,
although the economic crisis that has beset the country could make it difficult
to realize such efforts.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Yu-fang (ªL§¤è), who sits on the
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said yesterday that acquiring submarines
from abroad would be difficult, as most countries that manufacture them enjoy
good relations with Beijing and were reluctant to risk compromising those ties
over the sale of submarines to Taiwan.
Lin said a more feasible alternative would be for Taiwan to consult with
international naval experts to develop its own subs.
The Taipei Times reported in December last year that naval authorities
were readying to send personnel abroad to study production technology or to
negotiate technology transfers to develop pressure-resistant hulls, which are
said to be among the most challenging aspects in building submarines.
Additional difficulties for domestic shipbuilders could also arise from an
alleged decision by the US Navy to bar top US defense firms, such as Lockheed
Martin Corp and Raytheon Corp, among others, from participating in Taiwan¡¦s
submarine program,both under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program or Direct
Commercial Sale (DCS), which requires approval from the State Department.
The US-based source with good knowledge of the matter confirmed as much during
the discussion earlier this month, and if true, the directive could have a
significant impact on the ability of the Taiwanese navy to integrate torpedo and
ballistic missile systems, along with the electronic suites, into the
submarines.
Ahead of the notification for the US$5.8 billion arms package to Taiwan
announced in September last year, Taiwanese negotiators reportedly told
Washington that a compromise for not obtaining the 66 F-16C/D aircraft Taipei
was seeking could be the resumption of Phase 1 efforts on a submarine design.
Although the F-16 aircraft were not included in the notification, the US
Department of State and the US National Security Council are said to have
smacked down the proposed compromise, forcing Taiwan to go it alone.
In addition to expected pressure from Beijing on Washington not to assist Taiwan
on the program, the US Navy is reportedly wary of seeing additional undersea
vessels in the narrow Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, fearing that the
increased traffic could lead to accidents.
Regional navies are also said to be failing to abide by customary navigation
rules for undersea forces by ignoring the pre-established depths and
¡§corridors¡¨ ¡X similar to the air corridors used for civilian aviation ¡X to avoid
collisions.
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