TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Legislators reached a consensus on continuing funding for the Indigenous Defense Submarine program, averting a funding freeze threatened by opposition lawmakers. 

While reviewing next year’s defense budget during a session of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on Wednesday, several KMT legislators threatened to freeze funding for the second phase of the IDS project. 

After discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, a consensus was reached to replace the freezing proposal with a formal resolution emphasizing that safety must be the top priority during testing, per CNA. 

The “Narwhal," Taiwan’s first domestically developed submarine, was launched in September last year and is undergoing Harbor Acceptance Tests. The Navy has allocated NT$584.95 million (US$17.99 million) for the program's second phase. 

KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-kang (陳永康) proposed freezing the entire NT$584.95 million budget, while KMT Legislator Huang Jen (黃仁) proposed cutting NT$50 million. KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) proposed axing NT$100 million.

Chen expressed concerns about the manufacturer CSBC’s lack of experience with submarines, the presence of commercial traffic at the testing site, and insurance issues. Ma called on the Navy to explain why the 2026 completion date of the second phase will not be delayed given that MK-48 heavyweight torpedoes will not be supplied until 2029 at the earliest.

Following extensive discussions, Committee Chair Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) said the submarine project had progressed according to schedule. Therefore, the proposals to freeze the budget were replaced with a formal resolution that was signed by all committee members, said Wang. 

The resolution stated that the NT$584.95 million allocated in the 2025 budget is conditional upon the defense ministry prioritizing safety and quality. It also stipulated that funds would not be released until the Narwhal enters Sea Acceptance Tests.