(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Just a few days after launching its first domestically-built submarine, “Haikun,” Taiwan is now facing allegations that critical dan confidential information regarding the diesel-electric submarine has been leaked to its adversary, China.
Additionally, there are claims of efforts by lawmaker of the island nation to obstruct Taiwan’s submarine program from obtaining essential equipment and components.
Both of these serious allegations concerning Taiwan’s security and defense were revealed by Huang Shu-kuang, who is responsible for overseeing Taiwan’s submarine program, to the local media recently.
The alleged leakage of critical and confidential information about the submarine was alleged to have committed by a contractor who failed to win the contract to build the submarine.
Huang did not disclose the name of the legislator accused of obstructing the submarine program from acquiring the necessary equipment and components as well as the contractor who leaked the confidential information to China.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s prosecutor’s office stated that Huang’s allegations have drawn serious attention due to their impact on the island’s safety and defense.
The prosecutor has been directed to investigate the case as quickly as possible to ensure the nation’s security is maintained, according to the official.
On September 28th, Taiwan launched its first domestically built diesel-electric submarine, marking a historic moment for the island as it contends with Beijing’s efforts to incorporate it into China’s territory.
President Tsai Ing-wen launched the submarine, named “Haikun,” in the port of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.
“Haikun” means “big fish” in Chinese.
Taiwan’s self-made submarine will undergo testing at sea before being commissioned into the island’s navy next year.
The second domestically built submarine in Taiwan is expected to be launched in 2027.
The first domestically built submarine for Taiwan was constructed with a budget of $1.54 billion (RM6.93 billion), but for the Taiwanese government, it represents a worthwhile investment in defending the island against potential invasion.
Although the submarine is domestically built, “Haikun” uses a combat system developed by Lockheed Martin from the United States, as well as domestically produced torpedoes.
Seven countries were reported to have assisted Taiwan in designing and building its first self-made submarine.
Construction of the submarine began in 2020 and faced various challenges, but ultimately, the island successfully completed the construction of “Haikun” through cooperation between its domestic agencies and friendly nations.
In total, Taiwan aims to build eight diesel-electric submarines to replace two Dutch-made submarines and a World War II-era U.S. submarine used for training.
Taiwan’s domestically-made submarines have the primary goal of preventing China’s military from encircling the island and blocking China’s maritime assets from sailing across the “First Island Chain.”
If China succeeds in encircling Taiwan, the Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel would become the main routes for the country’s aircraft carriers and warships to reach the Philippine Sea and then the Pacific Ocean to deny U.S. anti-access/area denial operations. — DSA
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