U.S. Congressman Urges U.S. Secretary Of Defense To Sell Submarines To Taiwan

The Hon Chuck Hagel
Secretary of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301

Dear Secretary Hagel:

As long-time friend of Taiwan and a founding member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I write to you today about an issue of concern to me and to my Taiwanese American constituents.

Even though Taiwan is sovereign independent country today, it continues to face a daunting military threat from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC still refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, and in 2005 passed an “Anti-Secession Law” mandating military action if Taiwan takes any actions that China deems to be a move toward de jure independence.

The Pentagon’s 2011 Annual Report to Congress on the Military and Security Development Involving the PRC concluded that China’s continued military modernization remained focused on the development of capabilities to “deter, delay, or deny possible US support” to Taiwan in the event of conflict. As part of its long term military expansion documented by numerous official U.S. government sources, China has added dozens of attach submarines to its fleet since 1995 with the objective of limiting the U.S.’s ability to intervene in a Taiwan contingency.

Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the United States must make available to Taiwan “such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability” U.S. assessments if Taiwan’s naval defense needs dating back to the Clinton administration have determined that there is an operational requirement for Taiwan to possess diesel electric submarines as part of an integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) architecture. Small submarines in particular would provide a credible, survivable deterrent, while playing a potentially critical role in defending against an amphibious invasion. Taiwan currently operates only two submarines that are deployable in a combat scenario.

As you know, in 2001 President George W. Bush approved Taiwan’s request for the sale of eight diesel electric submarines as part of a $12 billion arms sales package to Taiwan. However the sale remains pending to this day due to a combination of technical and budgetary challenges. President Bush nevertheless committed the U.S. to assisting Taiwan in its acquisition of diesel electric submarines.

Taiwan must maintain a sufficient self-defense force in order to engage with the PRC from a position of strength.  In the face of an adversary with seemingly endless resources, a modest number of additional, updated submarines would form an indispensable part of the Taiwan Navy’s credible deterrence capability by significantly enhancing its capability for sea control and denial.

I would like to know how the U.S. can support Taiwan’s acquisition of diesel electric submarines, including export control considerations for technical assistance and other export licensing in support of a Taiwan submarine program.

I also urge the Department of Defense (DOD) to permit and encourage American companies with expertise in areas related to the development of submarines to support Taiwan’s establishment of an indigenous submarine program. To this end, the DOD should convene such integrated product teams as may be necessary to determine the technologies that Taiwan will require, and which are releasable, to facilitate a successful program.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Benjamin Culver of my staff at [email protected] or (202) 225-6501 Thank you very much for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Andrews
Member of Congress

Photo Credit: U.S. Secretary of Defense (Flickr)