Photo: Taiwan unveils its first homemade submarine

The £1.27 billion diesel-electric submarine is called Narwhal in English and Hai Kun in Chinese. Photo: CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS

Taiwan unveiled its first domestically produced submarine, a major step to boost its deterrence against a possible Chinese attack.

The island democracy of 23.5 million people has focused on its indigenous submarine program as a central part of strengthening and modernizing its defense forces in the face of almost daily intimidation tactics from the Chinese military and Beijing's constant threats of invasion.

«Even if there are risks and no matter how many problems exist, Taiwan must take this step and allow a self-reliant national defense policy to grow and prosper on our soil,» she said, standing in front of the imposing ship draped in distinctive blue, red and white Taiwan's flag.

Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan should allow its own defense policy to evolve Photo: Yi-Hwa Cheng /Bloomberg

The £1.27 billion diesel-electric submarine is named Narwhal in English and Hai Kun in Chinese. Both names resemble a sea monster.

Although the US is Taiwan's main arms supplier, the submarine was built with expertise and technology from different countries, a breakthrough for the diplomatically isolated country.

The Chinese Communist Party says Taiwan is its own territory, although it has never ruled there and is threatening to invade Taipei, whose own government, military and foreign policy refuses to give up its sovereignty and accept Beijing's demands.

The submarine will be handed over to the Navy by the end of 2024 after undergoing several tests. The island currently has two Dutch-made submarines and plans to build a total of eight indigenous vessels.

Taiwan's military leaders hope the navy will complicate the calculation of a Chinese invasion and protect their territory from a naval blockade. Strategically placed submarines will also hinder the Chinese fleet's advance into the wider Pacific region.