TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet said Thursday (Aug. 22) that it has approved a plan to build seven more domestically-designed submarines over 14 years.
It said Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) has approved the expanded submarine program, which is scheduled from 2025 to 2038. There is a budget of approximately NT$284 billion (US$8.88 billion) to build the seven new Indigenous Defense Submarines, per CNA.
The Cabinet also approved the central government's general budget for 2025, with an overall defense budget of NT$647 billion, accounting for about 2.45% of GDP.
Media inquiries focused on whether funds for submarine production were included in the 2025 budget. A Ministry of National Defense statement after the Cabinet meeting suggested that while there are plans to allocate funds in next year’s budget, the plan is still under review.
Cabinet Spokesperson Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said in a written statement the government is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by boosting defense and domestically producing aircraft and ships — “building a resilient Taiwan, and safeguarding sovereignty.”