According to information published by CNA on July 12, 2022, the Taiwanese Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) is expected to be launched in September.
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Model of the future Taiwanese Indigenous Defense Submarine (Picture source: Chaoyisun)
The Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) Program is a Taiwanese project to develop and construct a class of attack submarines domestically for the Republic of China Navy.
The first indigenous diesel-electric submarine is scheduled to start operations in 2025, and it will be followed by seven others. They will replace the four aging submarines the country received decades ago.
Taiwan has put an emphasis on the domestic development of a variety of weapons systems, from missiles to vehicles, to strengthen its defenses against China’s increasing aggressiveness.
The external design appears to resemble Japan's Soryu– and Oyashio-class SSKs by having an X-form rudder. The boats will be assembled using Japanese construction techniques in Taiwan.
Reportedly, a version of the AN/BYG-1 submarine combat management system, used in US Navy nuclear submarines, is being offered to Taiwan. Also, some influence in design is thought to have come from Dutch submarines currently operated by Taiwan. The vessels are estimated to be in the 2,500-ton class and 70m in length.
The armament of the first Indigenous Defense Submarine will be MK-48 Mod 6 Advanced heavyweight torpedoes and UGM-84L sub-launched Harpoon Block II missiles.
