Subs in limbo

A fleet of eight diesel-electric submarines for the Republic of China (Taiwan) could be more than a decade away after Taiwanese navy officials told their US counterparts funding is three years away.

A USN official said that if money is not available until Fiscal Year 2006, the process of tendering and selection would push the programme out to a 2013-14 delivery date.

The USN would be looking for $300 million to $350 million up front to start the programme.

The Taiwanese navy’s submarine fleet consists of two 50-year-old Guppy-class diesel-electric boats, which are both in very poor condition, and two Dutch-built Hai-Lung-class boats commissioned in 1987/88.

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