The Republic of China (Taiwan) has gone ahead with a plan set in motion in mid-2016 to build its own diesel-electric attack submarines as part of a build-up of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN).

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on March 21 announced the launch of a submarine construction program that might see Taiwan build at least eight super-quiet, diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) over the next decades under its Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) Program.

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The addition of the eight new boats will give Taiwan 10 submarines, all armed with Mark 48 (Mk-48) heavyweight submarine torpedo and UGM-84L Sub-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles from the United States.

Tsai signed a procurement contract and memorandum of understanding on cooperation involving the Taiwan government; local shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC); ROCN and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

"Strengthening underwater combat capabilities is most needed in Taiwan's defense," said Tsai during a tour of a submarine at the southern naval port of Zuoying.

"This is a problem everyone recognizes. We have been unable to solve this in the past. As commander of the armed forces, I am determined to solve this problem."

Taiwan estimates it will take at least 10 years for the first submarine to be ready. Four years will be spent on design; four on construction and two years for testing.

In December 2016, CSBC won an $80 million design contract for the first of a new class of domestic SSKs after the U.S. failed to make honor a promise made in 2001 by the George W. Bush administration promise to help Taiwan develop its own SSKs.

U.S. foot dragging is being fueled by fears secret U.S. submarine information might be stolen by Chinese spies if shared with Taiwan. China also opposes attempts by other nations to supply arms to Taiwan.

ROCN's submarine force is badly in need of modernization and the acquisition of new SSKs to attack ships of an invasion force from mainland China is a key defense priority for the Republic of China Armed Forces (ROCAF).

"At present, the navy's demand is submarines ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 tons," said Vice Admiral Hsiao Wei-min, Chief of Staff of the ROCN.

ROCN only operates two, 30-year old Chien Lung-class SSKs as its front line submarines.

Despite their age, these submarines will soon be armed with U UGM-84L Harpoons, which Taiwan acquired under a $200 million deal. These missiles should be enough to give China serious thoughts about launching a naval invasion of Taiwan across the 180 kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait separating it from Taiwan.