Taiwan Announces The Launch Of A New Submarine — Is This A Game-Changer?

One of the big concerns about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is whether they can hold back an offensive long enough for reinforcements to arrive from the West.

This is particularly relevant because of the endless delays in defensive weapons they would need to effectively deter an attack from China, or slow their progress once it had been launched.

So, with China becoming increasingly bellicose toward the island neighbor they claim to own, Taiwan did what any modern Western nation with a difficult situation would do — they came up with an in-house solution.

They built their own submarine to patrol the waters in (comparative) safety.

Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically-made submarine as it bolsters its defences against a possible Chinese attack.

President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony in the port city of Kaohsiung on Thursday.
[…]
“History will forever remember this day,” said Ms Tsai as she stood in front of the towering submarine draped in the emblem of Taiwan’s flag.

She added that the idea of a domestically-made submarine had previously been considered “an impossible task… but we did it”.

Building their own submarines has long been a key priority for Taiwan’s leaders, but the programme accelerated under Ms Tsai who has revved up military spending to nearly double its budget during her tenure.

The $1.54bn (£1.27bn) diesel-electric powered submarine will undergo several tests and will be delivered to the navy by the end of 2024, according to military officials. — BBC

Seeing the major events that fade so quickly from public memory, the President’s proclamation about History forever remembering this day may be a touch melodramatic.

But this is, nevertheless, an event that could have a significant impact on China’s Taiwan policy — especially if the submarine has capabilities that could do serious mischief to the ports China relies upon so heavily.