Thursday was an important day for Taiwan as the country reached a major defense milestone. Taiwan unveiled its first domestically designed and developed submarine and touched a significant milestone. The move will make Taiwan’s deterrence and defense robust against China’s navy. However, according to reports, the submarine will not be commissioned for the next two years.
Taiwan aims to modernize its armed forces and this step by Taiwan to bring forward its own indigenous submarine program is part of its vision.
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, launched the plan in 2016. On Thursday, it unveiled the first of eight new submarines in Kaohsiung.
“In the past, a domestically developed submarine was considered an impossible task. But today, before our eyes stands a submarine designed and manufactured by the citizens of our country,” Tsai said.
She further said that the move will play a key role in strengthening the navy’s “asymmetric warfare” capabilities.
“Even if there are risks and no matter how many challenges there are, Taiwan must take this step and allow a self-reliant national defense policy to grow and flourish on our land,” Tsai said as he stood next to the ship named Narwhal. The red flag of Taiwan was wrapped around the bow of the submarine.
According to Tsai, the Narwhal will enter service in 2025 and will be part of a group of two existing submarines that were actually purchased from the Netherlands in the decade of the 1980s.
ALSO READ: US Marine Corps Ranks and Insignia, Check Full List in Order
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education