Taiwan and the United States have discussed the acquisition of submarines at the recent US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference. That’s the word from the Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Raymond Burghardt on Wednesday. AIT is the top institute in charge of US relations with Taiwan in the absence of official ties.
Burghardt said that all parties at the conference heard a report from Taiwanese navy officers about Taiwan’s proposed indigenous submarine program. He said there was discussion about how Taiwan might acquire the submarines but refused to give further comments.
Burghardt also said that this year has seen frequent military exchanges between Taiwan and the US. About 2,500 US defense officers visited Taiwan this year, an increase of 25% from last year. During the same period, Taiwanese military officers visited the US more than 1,500 times.