Taiwan is planning to build its own submarines. The defense ministry is planning to do so from 2016 to 2019 and finish the first one made in Taiwan at 2024 at the earliest.
President Ma Ying-jeou said on Tuesday he hopes the US can assist Taiwan in this plan. He was speaking to a visiting delegation from the US House of Representatives.
“We hope in the future to receive US assistance in the area of high-performance fighter planes and diesel-electric submarines. That’s because we’ve decided to build the submarines we need ourselves," said Ma.
Ma also said that, while in office, he has been able to rebuild trust between the US and Taiwan. Arms purchases from the US are at US$18.3 billion, the highest in 20 years.
He also highlighted the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between the US and Taiwan. Talks resumed in March last year and he hopes Taiwan and the US can continue to provide ways to increase investment on both sides.