The Hai Kun (海鯤), the nation’s first indigenous defense submarine, yesterday began sea trials, sailing out of the Port of Kaohsiung, a military source said.
Also known as the “Narwhal,” the vessel departed from CSBC Corp, Taiwan’s (台灣國際造船) shipyard at about 8am, where it had been docked.
More than 10 technicians and military personnel were on deck, with several others standing atop the sail.
Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei Times
After recently completing its harbor acceptance test, the vessel has started a series of sea-based trials, including tests of its propulsion and navigational systems, while partially surfaced, the source said.
The Hai Kun underwent tests in the port from Saturday to Monday focused on fine-tuning its propulsion system, they added.
The submarine would be heavily guarded during sea trials, with the navy deploying M109 assault boats, Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats and Cheng Kung-class frigates to secure the test zones, the source said.
Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei Times
A sea trial — also known as a sea acceptance test — is a formal series of open-water evaluations designed to determine whether a newly built or significantly upgraded vessel meets its contractual performance specifications before delivery.
For submarines, sea trials typically assess propulsion, steering and navigation, depth capabilities and acoustic signature. Some of these tests require the vessel to be fully submerged.
However, the navy yesterday declined to comment on when submerged trials for the “Narwhal” would commence.
Photo courtesy of CSBC Corp, Taiwan
Despite declining to comment on the testing schedule, navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said the contractual deadline for the submarine to be delivered to the navy in November remained unchanged.
The program has faced repeated delays based on public stated commitments.
When the “Narwhal” prototype was unveiled in September 2023, Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光), the indigenous submarine program convener at the time, said that the vessel could be delivered before the end of last year — a target that was not met.
The Hai Kun subsequently missed another key deadline on April 30 for completing its harbor trials, amid reports that testing had been hampered by technical issues, including damage to components caused by voltage surges from the onshore power supply used during testing in February.
Former navy adviser Kuo Hsi (郭璽) alleged on his online show that the submarine had problems with leakage.
The navy declined to comment when asked about Kuo’s remarks.
NETWORK-MAPPING PROJECT: The database contains 170 detailed files of Taiwanese politicians and about 23 million records of household registration data in Taiwan China has developed a network-mapping project targeting political figures and parties in Taiwan to monitor public opinion during elections and to craft tailored influence campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwanese society, according to documents leaked by Chinese technology firm GoLaxy (中科天璣). The documents, collected by Taipei-based Doublethink Lab, showed a database was specifically created to gather detailed information on Taiwanese political figures, including their political affiliations, job histories, birthplaces, residences, education, religion and a brief biography about them. Several notable Taiwanese politicians are in the database, including President William Lai (賴清德), former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍),
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
UPGRADED MISSILE: The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly to conduct a live-fire test of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile on Thursday next week The US Army is planning to build new facilities to boost explosives production and strengthen its supply chain, a move aimed at addressing munitions shortages and supporting obligations to partners including Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, Defense News reported. The army has issued a sources sought notice for a proposed Center of Excellence at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the report said. The facility would serve as a hub within the US industrial base for the production of key military explosives, including research department explosives (RDX) and high melting explosives (HMX), while also supporting research and development of next-generation materials. The proposed
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
RSS