Taiwan's President Lai Champions Indigenous Shipbuilding to Bolster Defense

Focus on Local Manufacturing and Enhanced Maritime Capabilities

President William Lai (賴清德) has reinforced Taiwan's commitment to its indigenous shipbuilding and aircraft programs, emphasizing their crucial role in developing local defense industries and strengthening the nation's self-defense capabilities. This announcement was made during a keel-laying ceremony in Kaohsiung for the first of six domestically built cruisers.

These cruisers, ordered by the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) under the initiative of former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in 2021 to combat illegal fishing, represent a significant investment of NT$12.9 billion (US$390 million).

The plan is to construct six long-range vessels capable of patrolling international waters. President Lai stated that these vessels are designed to extend Taiwan’s maritime reach and reinforce the government's commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters.

The ship currently under construction will feature a diesel-electric propulsion system, enabling it to circle Taiwan up to 30 times per deployment, thus allowing for extended operational range.

The ship's rear deck has been designed to accommodate supplies, coastal multipurpose boats, attack boats, or drones, depending on the mission requirements.

President Lai believes the vessel will significantly enhance the coast guard's maritime patrol capabilities and serve as a supply ship for outlying islands and a marine rescue ship.

In his address, President Lai acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the nation's coast guard personnel in defending Taiwan’s maritime borders against the Chinese Communist Party’s "gray zone" tactics, urging them to maintain their safety while on duty.

President Lai called upon the Ocean Affairs Council, the CGA, and CSBC Taiwan (台灣國際造船) – the shipbuilding company – to maintain the project's schedule. He also urged legislators to support the relevant budgets to ensure the security of Taiwan's democratic values.

According to CSBC Taiwan chairman Huang Cheng-hung (黃正弘), construction of the first vessel commenced last year and is anticipated to launch by October. Following sea trials and testing, delivery to the CGA is scheduled for August 11 of the following year.

The vessel is 100m long, 16.5m at its widest point, and 8m in depth. It is expected to displace over 3,000 tonnes without equipment and up to 8,000 tonnes when fully outfitted, according to Huang.

It will be equipped with water cannons, high-pressure water guns, and the XTR-102 20mm remote weapon system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology.

Huang further explained that the ship’s design incorporates versatility, enabling it to tow the CGA’s 4,000-tonne Chiayi-class patrol vessels and accommodate modular cargo crates, thereby expanding its operational versatility.