In 2001, the US offered Taiwan a cheaper alternative to the current plan to purchase eight new diesel-electric submarines. Last year, the US Department of Defense also pitched the option of buying refurbished submarines from a third country, but the offer was rejected by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.
Also last year, the US approached Italy to purchase used SSK (Type 1081) Sauro-class diesel-electric attack submarines. The Italian Ministry of Defense tentatively agreed but Taiwan rejected the offer, insisting on new platforms. The original plan called for the US to purchase four submarines, then refurbish and resell them to Taiwan.
Four additional submarines would be made available as Italy decommissioned them. Once refurbished, the Italian submarines would be good for 15 years, and the deal included an extension program, a US defense source has said.
With dramatic political opposition to the budget, many in the US are hoping Taiwan reconsiders this option. The option was put forth in light of the massive cost and political opposition to building new submarines. First, the eight new submarines alone are estimated to cost between NT$237 billion to NT$372.5 billion (US$7 billion to US$11 billion) with delivery in 2013. In contrast, eight used submarines would be sold at an estimated cost of NT$67.7 billion (US$2 billion) with delivery beginning in 2006-2007.
Taiwan's refusal to consider an option which is cheaper and gives it defense capability sooner rather than later demonstrates the lack of creative thinking on this issue. The result is an extraordinarily expensive solution that detracts from other pressing needs, US sources say.
Italy has already decommissioned one Sauro-class submarine, the S-518 Nazario Sauro, and is preparing to decommission three more: the S-519 Carlo Fecia Di Cossato, the S-520 Leonardo Da Vinci and the S-521 Guglielmo Marconi. Four additional submarines -- making up the Salvatore Pelosi-class and Primo Longobardo-class -- are expected to be decommissioned within the next 10 years. The Pelosi-class are enlarged Sauros armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Longobardos-class subs are enlarged Pelosis, with improved weapons storage, sensors and range.
The Sauro-class submarines have a displacement of 1,479 tonnes surfaced and 1,657 tonnes dived; are 63.9m long, with a beam of 6.8m, draught of 5.7m. They also have a maximum speed of 11 knots surfaced, 19 knots dived, with a range of 17,702km. Armament includes six 533mm bow tubes.
Once refurbished with the latest weapons and equipment by a US defense contractor, they would be as good as anything China currently has in its docks.
The source said that the third-country option is not limited to Italy. Other countries, including India and Russia, were suggested as options.
Opponents to the procurement of refurbished submarines cite the logistical requirements involved in maintaining older submarines. However, the defense source notes that Taiwan has a proven ability to maintain and build submarines.
The best examples are Taiwan's two World War II-era Guppy-class, and the two Hai-lung (Sea Dragon)-class (originally Zwaardvis-class) submarines. The Guppys are the oldest submarines used by any navy in the world.
To make things worse, veteran US navy sailors who served upon the two Guppys would like Taiwan to return the submarines to the US for display in a museum.
Wendell Minnick is the Taiwan correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly.
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