Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) yesterday said the military strongly supports a proposal by lawmakers to have six of the eight diesel-powered submarines the US promises to acquire for Taiwan built locally under US technical assistance.
"We will express this desire to the US in our future negotiations over the submarine deal. Chief of the General Staff Admiral Li Chieh [李傑] has ordered an evaluation of the proposal," Tang said.
"By the time the evaluation is completed, the Ministry of National Defense will report to the defense committee of the legislature on the matter. If the lawmakers respond well, we will try to talk the US into accepting the proposal," he said.
"It complies with the government's policy of developing a self-reliant defense industry. We certainly hope to have six of the eight diesel-powered submarines the US is to acquire for us built in Taiwan," Tang added.
The defense minister made the remarks yesterday at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Defense Committee as part of his response to inquiries about the submarines from lawmakers.
Lawmakers on the Defense Committee are now focusing on whether the ministry is able to persuade the US to have six of the submarines manufactured in Taiwan, despite what appears to be Washington's reluctance.
Tang's comments were the first time the military has publicly expressed support for the lawmakers' proposal, but the minister also warned of the possibility that the submarines, if built locally, might not pass trials.
"Suppose we test the submarines at a depth of 400m, who would responsible if an accident happens?" Tang asked.
The minister did not explain the reasons for such fears.
However, the concern may have to do with uncertainty about whether state-run China Shipbuilding Corp (
The company has stated several times since last year that it can construct the submarines as long as it gets the blueprints.
As asked about his understanding of China Shipbuilding's capabilities, Tang said he would like to be believe its claims that it can build the hardware.
Many military leaders are now wondering who would examine and approve the seaworthiness of any Taiwan-made submarines
Taiwan lacks the specialized hardware and personnel to take on such a task.
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