The United States has issued an export permit for a digital sonar system critical to Taiwan’s indigenous submarine project, top defence official.

The United States has issued an export permit for a digital sonar system critical to Taiwan’s indigenous submarine project, a top defence official said Wednesday. Taipei was notified by Washington on Tuesday that the permit has been granted, vice defence minister Chang Che-ping said during a parliament session.

The digital sonar system and an integrated combat system are two key components Taiwan needs to build its own modern submarines. Chang did not elaborate on the status of the combat system.

Taiwan began construction on a fleet of indigenous submarines last month, the latest move by the out-gunned island to bolster its defences against an increasingly bellicose Beijing.

The long-mooted project aims to deliver eight new submarines, with the first expected by 2025, according to officials.

Originally published at Defence Aviation Post