Jake Sanders, Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, Taiwan — Taiwan’s pioneering indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun (also known as the “Narwhal”), has entered its sea trial phase following the successful completion of harbor acceptance testing, according to military sources. The vessel embarked on its initial open-water assessments yesterday, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan’s naval development efforts.
At around 8 a.m., the submarine departed from CSBC Corporation’s shipyard in Kaohsiung, with a crew of over a dozen technicians and military personnel on deck, alongside additional crew members positioned on the vessel’s sail. The submarine is now under heavy security as it conducts tests in open waters, with navy vessels including M109 assault boats, Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats, and Cheng Kung-class frigates guarding its operation zones.
Sea acceptance tests are crucial for verifying a vessel’s performance and readiness before official delivery. For submarines, these evaluations typically include testing propulsion, navigation, steering, depth capabilities, and acoustic signatures, often requiring full or partial submersion.
The Hai Kun previously underwent port-based trials from Saturday to Monday, focusing on fine-tuning its propulsion systems. The ongoing sea trials are aimed at assessing the submarine’s operational capabilities in real-world conditions.
Despite the progress, the navy has not announced a timeline for submerged trials. However, navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung confirmed that the delivery deadline to the navy remains set for November, adhering to contractual agreements, although previous schedules had been delayed.
The indigenous submarine project has faced several challenges and delays. When first unveiled in September 2023, program officials had hoped to deliver the vessel by the end of that year—an expectation that was not met. The submarine missed a key milestone in April for harbor trial completion, with reports citing technical issues such as component damage from voltage surges and alleged leaks. The navy declined to comment on these claims or provide further details on testing delays.
As Taiwan advances its defense capabilities, the Hai Kun represents a significant step toward bolstering its underwater naval strength amid regional security concerns.
