Taiwan’s China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) says that uncertainty surrounding the indigenous submarine program and its budget may lead to the loss of talent and equipment suppliers, which in turn may cause delays and cost increases if the program is restarted. That came in a press release on Wednesday, May 20, in response to KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun’s (馬文君) recent proposal to freeze the program’s budget.

CSBC said the prototype indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤號), has entered the latter half of its sea acceptance trials and is expected to be delivered in the second half of the year. It noted that submarines can play a key role in anti-blockade and anti-landing operations as well as serve as a deterrent against Chinese aircraft carrier strike groups.

The company said that if the budget for subsequent vessels in the Hai Kun class is not guaranteed, it may cause suppliers and highly skilled workers to lose confidence and withdraw from the program. If it is later restarted, the time and budget required would increase several-fold.