Taiwan; Navy to upgrade Chien Lung-class submarines

According to “Taiwan News” website on September 30, 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has announced that the program to upgrade the Taiwanese Navy Chien Lung-class submarines will be launched next year and completed by 2024.

The aim of this upgrade is to extend the operational capabilities of the two submarines into late 2030, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense.

The Chien Lung class of submarine, also known as the Hai Lung (Sea Dragon) class, was manufactured in the Netherlands for Taiwan. They are a modified version of the Dutch Navy’s Zwaardvis class which itself is based on the US Barbel class. It has a crew of 67 sailors including 8 officers.