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Taiwan unveils 15-year Navy upgrade plan

ROC Central News Agency

2014/01/09 21:19:33

Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) The Navy Command Headquarters unveiled a 15-year upgrade plan for Taiwan's naval forces Thursday, under which the weapons systems of the country's major warships will all be upgraded.

The naval headquarters briefed news media on the plan while introducing its maritime warfare history exhibition room.

The headquarters said it has begun evaluating the feasibility of building submarines on its own as the United States has yet to respond to Taiwan's longtime requests to purchase eight diesel-electric submarines.

The U.S. government approved the sale of eight diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan in 2001, but no progress has been made on the project since then.

Frustrated by the country's inability to procure the subs, Taiwan's military has gradually shifted from a model of 'waiting for U.S. approval' to considering building its own with U.S. technological support, the United Daily News (UDN) said in a special report last December.

The paper also said a local shipbuilders' association is scheduled to come up with a comprehensive feasibility assessment report by June 2014.

The naval headquarters confirmed Thursday that a seminar was held last year to discuss relevant issues with military experts, shipbuilding engineers and academics.

Another symposium on sub-related technologies and management topics will be held later this year, the headquarters said.

Meanwhile, it said the military will collaborate with local shipbuilders to resume the training functions of the Navy's two Guppy- class submarines.

The sub renovation plan is also expected to help foster local shipbuilders' capability to build new submarines in the future, the naval authority said.

It added that the Navy also plans to build a number of new warships, including amphibious dock landing ships that can transport small crafts, vehicles and helicopters.

In the future, the Navy will standardize the combat systems of all of its warships and logistics systems as part of efforts to build a strong elite naval force, it said.

(By Claudia Liu and Sofia Wu)
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