Submarine program leader resigns, what does Taiwan say?

Taiwan's submarines are being built at the CSBC Group's shipyard in Kaohsiung.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on April 17 that the island's homegrown submarine project would continue as planned, after the project's top official resigned over what he called unfair attacks on him and the defense force.

Taiwan sees its indigenous defense submarine (IDS) program as a key part of its plans to modernize its defense forces. In September 2023, Taiwan unveiled one of eight new submarines, although it is not expected to be commissioned until next year.

The program has attracted experts and technology from several countries, a breakthrough for the diplomatically restricted island.

In a statement on the evening of April 16, former Admiral Hoang Thu Quang said he resigned as leader of IDS due to unfair attacks from people he did not name.

Former Admiral Hoang Thu Quang

CNA Screenshot

Mr. Huang said the submarine task force, which includes the Taiwan Coast Guard and the island's CSBC Shipbuilding Corporation, would continue to operate after his resignation. "It is impossible for the team to be laid off just because of the departure of one person," he added.

Mr. Chiu Kwok-chung, head of Taiwan's Defense Ministry, told reporters on April 17 that Mr. Huang is a dedicated person, adding that "the task force members are all in charge and can work for a long time, there will be no change just because of changing one individual."

Mr. Huang previously described submarines as a “strategic deterrent” that could also help maintain the island’s “lifeline” to the Pacific Ocean by keeping ports along Taiwan’s east coast open.

Taiwan hopes to deploy at least two domestically developed submarines by 2027 and may equip later models with anti-ship missiles.

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