As tension rises with China, Taiwan speeds up construction of indigenous Submarine

Amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China, Taiwanese authorities swung into action to safeguard disputed territory. According to a report by South China Morning Post, Taiwan government has started building an indigenous submarine proto after tensions with Beijing increased significantly in last six months. Notably, report was published citing a source in Taiwanese military. source reportedly told Chinese media outlet that Taiwan government has recently ordered manufacturer to speed up construction process.

Naval forces to get first batch of submarines

Furr, source revealed naval forces would get first batch of submarines a year before it was scheduled. source said that first and most crucial phase of its construction was completed in November this year. According to Russian news agency Sputnik, Taiwanese government h started building indigenous submarine manufacturing projects in 2016 with an aim to build eight new submarines. As of now, country has four old submarines and eight new ones. Out of 12, two of Taiwan's four submarines that date back to World War II are used primarily for training purposes.

Citing a report published by Taiwan government, Sputnik reported that estimated cost of new submarine proto is $1.7 billion. It said that warship would be inducted on or before 2025. Currently, construction of submarines is under process at a CSBC Corporation shipyard. Taiwanese Navy held a keel-laying ceremony for submarine proto in mid-November this year. 

It is worth noting Taiwan-- officially Republic of China, is a country in East Asia that shares maritime boundaries with China. Earlier, it was a part of China but, during a civil war, it was divided and formed two self-governing entities-- People's Republic of China (PRC) and Republic of China (ROC). Despite split, China constitutionally considers Taiwan as its integral part under its "One China Principle". According to a recent US report, it claimed Beijing would force democratic Island to negotiate on its terms by 2027. US Department of Defence released a report in first week of November titled "Military and Security Developments Involving People's Republic of China" has warned Taiwanese government to take "extra care" of its territories.

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