Posted on 11/04/2014 2:43:27 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
At 70 years old, Taiwan’s World War II-era Hai Pao submarine would not be out of place in a museum, but the antique vessel is still part of the navy - a sign of the island’s ongoing struggle to strengthen its fleet. The sub’s interior gleams with highly polished copper and is the pride of its crew.
But the fact that the former US warship is still on active duty is testament to Taiwan’s decades-long battle to build up its submarine force, with potential suppliers wary of jeopardising relations with China.
China has opposed any arms sales to the island, which it regards as part of its territory, to be reunified by force if necessary.
Yet a modern submarine fleet is critical for Taiwan’s defence, analysts say. “Submarines would be a credible, survivable deterrent to an opponent’s use of force, and thus make use of force less likely,” said Mark Stokes, executive director of the Project 2049 Institute, a US-based think-tank on Asian security and public policy.
“They would complicate (China’s) People’s Liberation Army planning in a variety of scenarios.”
Then-US president George W Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines to Taiwan in April 2001, but they never materialised as Washington focused on its development of nuclear subs.
Germany and Spain, two of the world’s few submarine exporting countries, have also declined to supply Taiwan in what commentators interpret as fear of offending China.
Aside from two ageing subs built in the 1940s, Taiwan’s navy operates two other Dutch-built submarines that were commissioned in the late 1980s.
The number is in stark contrast to the Chinese navy, which now owns more than 60 submarines, including 14 that are nuclear-powered.
(Excerpt) Read more at gulf-times.com ...
“Germany and Spain, two of the world’s few submarine exporting countries, have also declined to supply Taiwan in what commentators interpret as fear of offending China.”
That’s a shame, as from what I’ve read, Germany makes some of the best D-E boats in the world. They could really boost Taiwan’s submarine fleet. Not sure about Spanish designs, though I would think most any modern design would be better than a 1940’s era sub.
Maybe they could buy some used Kilo’s from the Russians?
Of course it won't be anyone who's in debt to the chicoms up to their eyeballs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tench-class_submarine
World War 2 era Tench Class boats.
More of a danger to the sailors manning them than to the PRC.
They would be difficult to pick up on radar, they would be "disposable", i.e., "suicide machines". Fly/swim into a ship and BOOM...
Interesting article. I seem to be seeing a spate of articles recently on submarines ande especially in China and the Koreas. I find this curious in itself.
Any Kilos from Russia would be very used and probably neglected for the past 25 years.
“Any Kilos from Russia would be very used and probably neglected for the past 25 years.”
Yeah, the better question might be couldn’t Taiwan build it’s own submarines? I would think that off the self hardware from Home Depot might be better than a WW2 sub at this point.
Good point.
Maybe they could get Japan to sell them some subs, I have read that Japan is making some really good subs..............again.
Taiwan’s biggest problem...
It’s own unfortunate political comments.
I am a staunch supporter of Taiwan, but about every time I stick my nose out on it’s behalf, some government issued statement or another talks of unification.
I can’t support it’s independence, if it won’t even do it.
There may be some legal restrictions regarding Japan exporting weapons. Something to do with their post ww2 constitution.
I don't think so, I read where they are selling 10 subs to Australia.
You hit the nose in the head, or whatever.
KMT wants nothing more than to be the CCP’s handmaiden à la Hong Kong Chief Executive.
Too many in Taiwan accept that view, that Taiwan is a province of China. Maybe 25% get it and are for independence. But the majority don’t care enough one way or the other and side for stays quo, which is not independence.
I say this with sadness.
Yes, we both see it with sadness.
Thanks.
Yes and maybe some hazmat/nuc suits.
The Russians are still building Kilos for themselves and Vietnam and probably Venezuela, so they won’t be rust-buckets.
However, the largest export user of the Kilo is China (about 12 boats) and Russia wants to sell more toys to Beijing, so a sale to Taiwan is a non-starter.
Why do you need nuc suits for a non-nuclear sub?
Taiwan lost a golden opportunity to get French technology when they signed big arms deals with them in the 90s. To set up design and manufacturing facilities from scratch for a medium-sized fleet is not exactly cost-effective. Most countries building subs today have benefited from technology assistance from major exporting nations, which won’t be the case with Taiwan
“However, the largest export user of the Kilo is China (about 12 boats) and Russia wants to sell more toys to Beijing, so a sale to Taiwan is a non-starter.”
That would definitely put the K’bosh on the idea. Thanks for the info.
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