• Taiwan launched its first domestically-produced submarine, named “Haikun,” to bolster defense capabilities.
• President Tsai Ing-wen presides over the launch ceremony in Kaohsiung.
• The $1.54 billion diesel-electric submarine aims to be operational by the end of 2024.
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Taiwan has introduced its inaugural domestically-produced submarine as part of its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities amid concerns about a potential Chinese offensive.

President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch event in the port city of Kaohsiung on Thursday.

US officials have cautioned that China might have the military capacity to initiate an invasion in the coming years.

Taiwan is an independently governed island, but China views it as a rebellious province that it aims to reclaim in the future.

While most experts believe an immediate attack on Taiwan by China is unlikely, Beijing has stated its desire for a peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan while simultaneously cautioning against any formal declaration of independence by Taiwan and discouraging foreign support.

China has also escalated its pressure on the island through a series of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, including several conducted this month.

Developing indigenous submarines has long been a significant priority for Taiwan’s leadership, but this initiative gained momentum under President Tsai’s administration, which substantially increased military spending, nearly doubling its budget during her tenure.

The diesel-electric powered submarine, valued at $1.54 billion (£1.27 billion), will undergo a series of tests and is scheduled to be handed over to the navy by the conclusion of 2024, according to military authorities. It has been named “Haikun” after a legendary gigantic fish capable of flying, a figure found in classical Chinese literature.

Another submarine is presently in the production phase, and Taiwan’s objective is to eventually operate a fleet of 10 submarines, including two older Dutch-made vessels, all of which will be equipped with missiles.

Admiral Huang Shu-Kuang, who oversees the domestic submarine program, recently informed reporters that the primary aim is to deter any potential attempts by China to encircle Taiwan for an invasion or impose a naval blockade.

He also mentioned that this capability would buy time until US and Japanese forces could come to Taiwan’s aid in defense.

In response to questions from reporters about the submarine on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry dismissed the endeavor as “nonsensical” and opposed any interference with their military activities in the Pacific.

Experts concur that the new submarines could significantly enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

Taiwan’s planned fleet of 10 submarines would be dwarfed by China’s extensive submarine fleet, which is reported to consist of more than 60 vessels, including nuclear-powered attack submarines, with additional units under construction.

Nonetheless, Taiwan has long pursued an asymmetric warfare strategy, aiming to develop a more agile defense force capable of countering a larger and well-equipped adversary.

These submarines could play a crucial role in enabling Taiwan’s relatively modest navy to proactively engage China’s formidable navy. They would do so by employing stealth, lethality, and the element of surprise, effectively engaging in guerrilla-style warfare tactics.

In particular, these submarines could be instrumental in safeguarding the various straits and passages connecting the “first island chain,” a network of islands that includes Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan. This chain is considered a potential front line in any conflict with China.