TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) acknowledged Monday (Oct. 13) that the indigenous submarine Narwhal (海鯤號) faces delivery delays beyond its November deadline. Koo expressed confidence in the submarine's eventual completion but emphasized that pre-sea acceptance testing requires additional time for equipment adjustments. The Narwhal represents Taiwan's first domestically built submarine amid rising regional security tensions.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) called for increased defense spending in his National Day address to accelerate T-Dome (台灣之盾) construction nationwide. The T-Dome represents Taiwan's comprehensive defensive shield designed to protect the island from potential military threats across multiple domains. Koo confirmed the military develops sophisticated integrated air defense systems combining advanced detection and missile capabilities for comprehensive multi-layered protection.
Koo emphasized integrating sophisticated radar, missiles, and anti-drone systems to enhance military mobility and survivability against potential regional threats. He addressed a recent Navy soldier's information leak to China, the People's Republic of China, which was discovered through proactive military personnel reporting. The defense minister urged sustained public vigilance against ongoing Chinese infiltration efforts, highlighting the severe security threats facing Taiwan.
