Taiwan investigates possibilities of buying Russian subs

(Rusnavy): Taiwanese military delegation visited Moscow in Oct to feel out the possibility of buying Russian submarines, reports Altair referring to Taiwanese magazine Next.

Official sources do not confirm this information released by the magazine which refers to undisclosed informers.

Presently, Taiwanese Navy has four obsolete diesel electric submarines in the inventory; two of them, Guppy II class subs were built in 1944-1950 and are used only for training purposes. More advanced Hai Lung class submarines purchased from the Netherlands in 1987-1988 but are not capable to provide effective protection of national sea border. Those subs have displacement of 2,660 tons and are armed with six 533-mm torpedo tubes.

Taiwanese defense ministry has been trying to acquire new submarines through the US. An American arms bid of 2001 included 8 diesel electric submarines cost about $3-6 bln. Despite the fact that the US Administration does not officially refuse the delivery, it cannot implement this project. American submarine fleet consists only of nuclear subs. Diesel electric submarines have not been designed and built in the U.S. since 50's. In addition, the Administration has become very careful about offensive arms exports to Taiwan.

Being anxious of cool-down in relations with China, European shipbuilders are not about to sell submarines to Taiwan either.

Earlier on, Taiwanese defense ministry declared the plans to start development of national project of diesel submarine; however, such program needs significant investments and involvement of qualified specialists.

World Arms Trade Analytic Center comments

It is quite hard to assess the information about the talks objectively. On the one hand, Russia's arms sale or defense technology transfer to Taipei could notably complicate relationship with China and block access of Russian defense industry to Chinese market. On the other hand, establishment of military cooperation with Taiwan may let Russia in US-monopolized Taiwanese arms market which is evaluated as billions US dollars. Even hypothetical probability of such option looks like a good chance to press on China in conditions of reduced Russian arms export to Beijing as well as illegal copying and commercialization of weapons based on Russian projects.