And Beijing will be pretty angry about it.
The National Interest
Date: July 22, 2018
By: Zachary Keck
Six different companies are seeking to help Taiwan build its own submarines to counter the growing threat it faces from China.
On July 10, the local media outlet, Taiwan News, reported that Taiwan had received bids from six foreign firms for its “Indigenous Defense Submarine” program. The report said that the bidders included two European firms, two American firms, as well as one each from India and Japan.
Although it did not further identify the four European and American firms, it added that “the Indian team has experience with the diesel submarines in service in the Indian Navy. The Japanese team reportedly includes retired engineers with previous experience working for Mitsubishi on the Harushio class submarines, and large scale projects under Kawasaki Heavy Industries.”
Separately, Edward Rehfeldt, the chairman and chief executive of the Rehfeldt Group, a U.S. firm with experience in Taiwan, told the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post that his firm was involved with helping Taiwan enhance its military capabilities. Rehfeldt would not confirm whether his firm was involved in the submarine program, however. [FULL STORY]