In a defense milestone, Taiwan unveils its first domestically produced submarine

Thursday marked a significant milestone in a project to fortify Taiwan's defense and deterrence against the Chinese navy as the island nation unveiled its first domestically developed submarine.

In an ambitious plan to modernize its armed forces, Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has made the domestic submarine program a key component. Beijing conducts military drills nearly every day to assert its sovereignty.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who began the project when she took office in 2016, unveiled the first of eight brand-new submarines on Thursday in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

Tsai claimed that building a submarine at home was once thought to be impossible. But now, a submarine created and produced by Taiwanese citizens was in front of their eyes. She continued by saying that it will be crucial in enhancing the navy's "asymmetric warfare" capabilities.

Tsai stated that Taiwan must take this action and permit the self-reliant national defense policy to grow and thrive in their country, despite the risks and difficulties that may arise. The ship is known as the Narwhal. The bow of the submarine was draped in the crimson flag of Taiwan, which featured a white sun against a blue sky.

The Narwhal, which Tsai stated will join two current submarines bought from the Netherlands in the 1980s, will go into service in 2025.

A breakthrough for diplomatically isolated Taiwan, the domestic submarine program has incorporated knowledge and technology from various nations.

The submarine's domestic content, according to Cheng Wen-lon, CEO of Taiwan's CSBC Corp, which oversaw construction, was roughly 40%. In his speech in Kaohsiung, he made no overt mention of foreign involvement.