According to reports, Taiwanese shipyard CSBC Corporation has completed the laying of the keel of the first domestically-made diesel-electric submarine (SSK) built for the Republic of China Navy (RoCN) at its dedicated submarine construction facility in Kaohsiung, several local news organizations said.
However, due to the high level of secrecy related to the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program, no images of the ceremony were released—reportedly attended by senior RoCN officials.
“The project team paid attention to construction safety and confidentiality throughout the process,” said Admiral Liu Zhibin, commander-in-chief of RoCN. “I hope that the first submarine can be completed on schedule to meet the expectations and support of the president and the people.”
RoCN awarded CSBC Corporation a contract to build a prototype submarine in May 2019. The company earlier announced that the first submarine is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024, followed by sea trials and commissioning in 2025.
CSBC Corporation is cooperating with the state-owned National Zhongshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) to build eight IDS SSKs worth up to US$16 billion.
SSK estimates that the total length is 70 m, and the displacement when submerged is approximately 2,500 tons. Although detailed performance specifications have not yet been confirmed, it is reported that RoCN expects its range to reach 6,000 nautical miles, with surface and underwater speeds of approximately 8 knots and 17 knots, respectively.
It is also expected to be equipped with American-made Mk 48 Mod 6 advanced technology heavy torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles. The battle management and sonar systems are provided by American companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
RoCN has an aging submarine force, including two refurbished Dutch-made Zwaardvis/Sea Dragon (Sea Dragon) class SSK submarines acquired in the late 1980s. It also owns two old-fashioned former U.S. Navy Guppy II/Hai Shih (sea lion) class submarines from World War II. They are the oldest submarines in naval service anywhere in the world today.
Xiao Wu
