India submits a design proposal for Taiwan’s indigenous defence submarine

New Delhi/Taipei: Considering the threat posed by China, Taiwan is making attempts to strengthen its military power and has recently decided to build eight diesel-electric submarines. India has reportedly offered assistance to Taiwan for this project. As per the claims of the Taiwanese media, besides the United States and two more European companies, Japanese and Indian companies have also expressed interest in the submarine project.

The Chinese navy is indulging in aggressive movements within the Indian Ocean region, which is a region of natural influence for India. Hence, India’s increasing military cooperation with nations in the South and East China Sea region, which are in dispute with China, assumes importance. While tensions are mounting between the United States and China over the Taiwan issue, India’s offer to help Taiwan in the submarine project comes as a jolt to China.

A few days ago, the President of Taiwan had warned that China is a threat not only to Taiwan but to the entire global democracy. China claims that Taiwan is its integral part. China has been threatening of taking over Taiwan at any moment using its military force. At the same time, Taiwan is increasing its defence-preparedness to counter the Chinese threat. The United States had declared to arm Taiwan with fighter jets, helicopters and destroyers. While expanding its military cooperation with the United States, Taiwan is also preparing its navy to face any disaster in the future.

Four Taiwanese submarines have been rendered obsolete. Taiwan is trying to purchase new submarines for the last few years. However, nobody had come forward due to the aggressive opposition from China. Hence, Taiwan has now resolved to build 8 diesel-electric submarines indigenously at the cost of $2 billion. International companies have been invited to propose designs for this purpose.

Six companies have expressed their interest in the project and have tendered design proposals for the same, claims the Taiwanese media. These include companies from the United States along with those from Germany, Spain, Japan and India. In April, the United States had expressed its willingness to construct submarines for Taiwan. However, the US has not built a traditional submarine since 1950. Similarly, the German and Spanish companies also don’t have the experience of building submarines for the past 40 years. Thus, proposals from Japan and India would prove to be more practical for Taiwan.

India has gained experience in building Scorpion-class submarines through its cooperation with France. Similarly, In the 80’s, India had manufactured 209-class submarines in the Mazgaon Docks with Germany’s collaboration. Thus, India and Japan are said to have a sharp edge in the race to claim the project. Some analysts have also argued that in reality, it is the United States who is behind the proposals submitted by India and Japan.