The navy is to complete by March a detailed report on its plan to buy eight diesel-powered submarines via the US, in which it is expected to specify what type of submarine it wants to buy, defense sources said yesterday.
The report will be sent to the legislature for reference, the first written document to be made available to the lawmaking body on the submarine deal.
The navy is expected to specify in the report what type of submarine it wants to buy, something it has been keeping a top secret since the US announced in April 2001 its agreement to help Taiwan acquire eight diesel-powered submarines.
There has been much speculation since then by the local and foreign press about the type of submarine the navy can get or wants to get.
The German-made Type 209 submarine or its upgraded version Type 214 is most widely said to be the navy's favored choice.
Several other options have also been named as choices being considered by the navy. They include submarines made by France, Israel, The Netherlands, Britain and Spain.
Among the many reported options, the navy can choose only one. There is no information which would indicate the navy might choose a hybrid design.
Before the navy could even make the final decision, the state-run China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSBC) had already finished a proposal to build six of the eight submarines in Taiwan -- based on design and technology provided by the country which wins the bid for the deal.
The proposal -- which the CSBC sent to the legislature last week to seek support from lawmakers -- ? highlights the CSBC's confidence in building the submarines, although the company has no previous experience in the field.
It is the government's policy to support the CSBC's bid to build submarines for the navy, although not many military leaders believe the CSBC has such capabilities.
Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming
Tang, speaking at the legislature several months ago, asked lawmakers strongly pushing for the indigenous submarine building plan to consider the issue of liability. "Who will take responsibility if the indigenously built submarine develops any problems?" he asked.
Deputy Defense Minister for Armament Affairs General Chen Chao-ming
"It is truly the government's policy to support the CSBC's bid. We know the CSBC has a lot of confidence in the matter. But mere confidence is not enough. Capabilities are more important," Chen said.
Another high-ranking defense official, who asked not to be identified, said there are two main reasons for the Ministry of National Defense to be reserved in its support for the CSBC.
"We do not think any country will sell top-quality steel to Taiwan for the construction of submarines. Such steel is very hard to get," the official said.
"We also think there is no qualified third party in the country to certify the quality of the submarine to be built by the CSBC," he said.
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