![[Hai-Lung class]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfmhPwo3kfbhjHj7dVeKQDBms9hxJ3G5fSaY4dCdKAOQ-p8XgzHGSuRKKmQ99tAG57xaF-70s_i7lENl6YbcbY_PTtnZZgZgrd1TxJxGWDkCEbI8ejlybFKvyTAK9r2dx0jLu/s1600/Hai-Lung-class.jpg "Chen said that after visiting CSBC 10 years ago, German submarine experts then concluded that CSBC was capable of building submarines as long as it can win a little technical support and investment")
The China Post news staff--The state-run CSBC Corp., Taiwan recently claimed that it is capable of building submarines on its own, but National Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu yesterday voiced his doubts that it might be just bold thinking on CSBC's part.Kao expressed the worry in response to questions raised yesterday morning by Legislator Lin Yu-fang at a joint session of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committees of the Legislative Yuan.
At the session, Lin said that CSBC has worked out a plan to build submarines in Taiwan, and that the state-run shipbuilder is confident of building the first Taiwan-made submarine within two years as long as the government can help the firm obtain key technologies.
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I think Taiwan has to develop its own submarine-building capability as the likelihood of foreign shipbuilders selling submarines to Taiwan is almost nil. To be sure, submarines will play a strategic role in Taiwan's defense against Chinese naval blockade in case hostilities erupt across the Taiwan strait. For a start, CSBC can develop unsophisticated 700-1000 tons submarines. As capabilities and technologies mature, Taiwan can start building 1,200 to 1,800 tons submarines. The bottom line is Taiwan must develop or acquire crucial submarine-related technologies such as propulsion, weapons system, and communication. There is no reason to believe why Taiwan cannot build its own submarine given the advance state of its industries. In the final analysis, Taiwan's ability to build submarines rests squarely on the support it can get from its own navy.
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