Taiwan’s Future Submarine Program: A Deep Dive

Tuesday, December 1, 2015
2 PM to 4 PM
Location: The Conference Center at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Root Room
1779 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC 20036

The comprehensive transformation of China’s military forces has prompted a regional increase in defense development and acquisition to include submarine capabilities. Inherently stealthy, and equipped with a diverse range of sensors and weapon systems, submarines are a “force in being” that have a political effect beyond the military realm. Taiwan’s indigenous submarine program would enhance regional stability by providing a credible and survivable deterrent to potential PRC use of force, and enhancing Taiwan’s relative position in future cross-Strait political negotiations.

This conference brought together a panel of experts to focus on Taiwan’s submarine program in relation to the PLA’s force modernization and Taiwan’s defense strategy, and identify key policy goals for U.S.-Taiwan relations.