Taiwan is pushing ahead with its ambitious submarine program, aiming to strengthen its defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.

The Cabinet approved the $8.88 billion budget on Thursday and plans to submit it to lawmakers for consideration later this month.

While analysts acknowledged that the move demonstrated Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te’s commitment to defending the island, they called the government “irresponsible” for giving the green light to the project before the submarine prototype had completed sea trials.

Cabinet spokesman Chen Shih-kai announced that the submarines will be built between 2025 and 2038 as part of the indigenous defense submarine program.

He stressed the government’s determination to strengthen national defense, promote domestic production of ships and aircraft, and ensure Taiwan’s resilience and sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific region.

Combat-ready submarine Hai Kun with US technology and MK-48 torpedoes

The Hai Kun submarine, named by former President Tsai Ing-wen, was officially unveiled in Kaohsiung last September. Tsai highlighted the achievement as proof of Taiwan’s ability to accomplish “an impossible task.”

The diesel-electric submarine, built by CSBC Corporation Taiwan, cost around NT$26 billion (US$818 million) and was ordered shortly after Tsai took office in 2016.

It is equipped with an X-shaped rudder for operations in shallow waters and additional small horizontal fins. The submarine, which is currently being prepared for deployment, will be equipped with a Lockheed Martin combat system and US MK-48 heavyweight torpedoes, according to Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, who heads the submarine construction program. the South China Morning Post reports.

Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the prototype submarine has almost completed its port acceptance trials, followed by sea trials. Local reports say the first sea trial is scheduled to take place next month, and the submarine is expected to be delivered in November next year. The expansion of Taiwan’s submarine fleet comes as tensions between Beijing and Taipei have escalated in recent years.

During a joint visit to the submarine construction site in March before taking office, Lai and Tsai pledged their support for the program and said they wanted to build seven more submarines.

Analysts believe this fleet would significantly strengthen Taiwan’s ability to counter the People’s Liberation Army forces at sea. The approval of the budget underscores the government’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense, said Su Tzu-yun, senior analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Submarines are considered the most important deterrent against potential attacks by the People’s Liberation Army

In contrast to Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance, Su made it clear that Taiwan’s submarine program is not aimed at an arms race but at protecting the island’s way of life. He described the submarines as one of Taiwan’s asymmetric weapons to deter possible attacks by the People’s Liberation Army.

Su also stressed that in addition to land- and ship-based missiles, a submarine fleet could also create a cross-domain deterrent and thus effectively counter the People’s Liberation Army’s sea and amphibious attacks.