TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Navy clarified on Tuesday (Dec. 3) that a budget allocation of over NT$2 billion for 2025 is earmarked for operational expenses and equipment costs exceeding NT$200 million, along with a shipyard contract of over NT$1.7 billion. This funding aims to support the ongoing submarine project as part of Taiwan's defense strategy.
Earlier that day, Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) proposed cutting the NT$1.7 billion allocated for the shipyard contract amid reports of project delays until 2029. During a routine press conference, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) repsonded that the ministry would only utilize the budget after the Hai Kun-class submarine (海鯤號) passes evaluations next year.
The Ministry of National Defense's (MND, 國防部) budget report outlines a total budget of more than NT$284 billion for the third phase of the indigenous submarine project, scheduled from 2025 to 2038. As Taiwan continues to bolster its defense capabilities, the developments surrounding the submarine project and potential reallocations within the Navy remain crucial.