Submarines play an essential role in Taiwan’s national defense, yet Taipei has faced enormous difficulty in acquiring them. Nations with the capability to design and build submarines are not willing to sell them to Taiwan due to Chinese coercion, forcing Taiwan to take matters into its own hands by developing its first domestic submarine. Even though the road has been fraught with setbacks for the nation, the example of Australia illustrates Taiwan’s exceptional accomplishment and feat in reaching a new milestone in national defense.
Australia had planned to develop domestic submarines in 1978. However, as it is in the southern hemisphere, it was in need of submarines that can cruise long distances. Back then, nations that could produce diesel-electric submarines only had the experience and skills to produce short-distance ones. After multiple considerations, Australia collaborated with Sweden to produce a new model of Collins-class submarines.
At the time, Australia only had experience of renovating submarines. It was also the first time that Sweden, whose submarine designs were being used in the shallow Baltic Sea, exported its submarine manufacturing skills abroad.
As a result, there has been a disparity between the two nations in terms of capability and goals. This has led to Australia’s submarines running into problems in the process of manufacturing and even during service.
For example, to accommodate the sonar system, Australia had to elongate the body of the submarine, thereby affecting the design of the propulsion system and noise cancelation, as well as overcomplicating the combat system. Due to these issues, the submarine was already obsolete when it was officially launched. Australia was compelled to seek out the US for assistance and had its combat system replaced.
SUBMARINES TAKE TIME
It has taken Collins-class submarines 10 years to complete the first underwater navigation and become a powerful asset, yet Australian efforts and dedication paid off. Even though there were major issues at the beginning, the submarine has proven to be able to hold its own against US nuclear submarines in simulated combat, thus winning the approval of the US military. Collins-class submarines would still be protecting the seas around Australia before its next generation of submarines come forth. Along the way, Australia has accumulated problem-solving experience, and improved its project and risk management skills. These intangible experiences would become invaluable assets.
If Australia encountered so many difficulties in producing submarines with Sweden on its side and without China breathing down its neck, it is not hard to imagine how much more challenging it has been for Taiwan to produce its own submarine.
However, the Australian example has taught Taipei that hurdles should not stop it from overcoming them against all odds.
Some pundits have pointed to the initial setbacks of Collins-class submarines and distorted its rocky beginning and manufacturing as a complete failure. That accusation could not be further from the truth, and even worse, it was meant as a malicious ploy to undermine Taiwan’s ability to acquire the skills for developing submarines. Taiwanese should open their eyes to the truth and use their discretion to tell right from wrong, and continue to voice their support for the domestic program.
Chen Kuan-lin is a research manager from Taipei.
Translated by Rita Wang
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