According to information published by the Taiwan News website on November 2, 2020, Taiwan will start next month the construction of the first local-made submarine. In September 2019, it was announced by the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has allocated an estimated NT$10.6 billion (US$341.33 million) for a domestic submarine program, but the budget was reported for 2020.
The Taiwanese Navy currently operates two Hai Shih-class diesel-electric submarines and two Chien Lung-Class diesel-electric submarines based at the Tsoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung. The Hai Shih (SS-791) was a Tench-Class submarine while the Hai Pao (SS-792) was a Balao-class submarine. Both of these submarines were transferred from the U.S. Navy to Taiwan in 1973. The Chien Lung-Class submarines are modified versions of Dutch Zwaardvis-class vessels.