TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Navy Commander and current Kuomintang Legislator Chen Yeong-kang (陳永康) recently expressed concern over insufficient personnel to operate and maintain Hai Kun-class submarines.

During a legislative committee meeting, Chen said eight new Hai Kun submarines in the future will require more personnel, but the Navy is struggling to meet the demand, per Liberty Times. He estimated each new submarine required 60 personnel for training, base operations, and logistics maintenance. He said expanding personnel should not rely solely on internal transfers within the Navy, as it would impact regular training.

The Navy’s submarine fleet currently consists of four subs assigned to the 256th Submarine Squadron based in Kaohsiung’s Zuoying Naval Base.

The legislator also suggested that the military establish a unit similar to a shipbuilding project management office instead of just having a submarine task force.

The Navy Command Headquarters is now in charge of the mass production of Taiwan’s domestic submarine after the original project head, Admiral Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光), resigned on April 16. It may produce the remaining subs in three batches, following a 3+2+2 model.