Lai Ching-te to fast-track submarine fleet expansion

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President-elect Lai Ching-te has voiced unwavering support for Taiwan's Indigenous Defence Submarine program, instructing for all seven follow-up submarines to be built at once.

In a first for Lai, he recently inspected the prototype submarine, Narwhal (Hai Kun), at CSBC Corporation's Hai Chang factory. Secretly joining him was current President Tsai Ing-wen.

The transition between Tsai and Lai will take place on May 20. Tsai has left the decision regarding the submarine construction to incoming president Lai, who emphatically instructed to, "get it all done at once".

The initial prototype submarine cost is estimated between NT$25 billion to NT$26 billion. However, costs for follow-up models are projected to be less, with each coming at approximately NT$20 billion. The CSBC Corporation production line can construct up to three submarines simultaneously.

This fiscal year's budget for the Indigenous Defense Submarine program totals more than NT$3.7 billion, but no provision has been made for the cost of follow-up submarines. Once Lai's term begins after May 20, he may order the Ministry of Defense to budget for the construction.

Military insiders suggest building all seven submarines at once could expedite construction and delivery. The total budget for building the seven remaining submarines is estimated between NT$150 billion and NT$200 billion.

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