The latest photographs and video clips of the nation’s indigenous defense submarine prototype show it is progressing through harbor tests and likely to meet its scheduled November delivery deadline, a Taiwanese defense expert said.
The submarine was spotted on Saturday undergoing trials at a southern harbor, with a source close to the matter confirming that the tests were part of the final stage of harbor trials before sea trials.
The confirmation followed the release of photographs and video showing the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal,” leaving CSBC Corp, Taiwan’s dock at the Port of Kaohsiung on Saturday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of CSBC Corp, Taiwan
The vessel was seen sailing slowly around the port with more than 10 technicians on board its deck.
An unnamed military source said the tests were part of the final stage of the ongoing harbor acceptance tests, adding that the submarine was undergoing power-related system tests.
If everything goes as planned, the harbor acceptance tests would be completed, they said.
Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the last time the Hai Kun was spotted leaving CSBC’s floating dock in April, the submarine was pulled by a work boat instead of sailing on its own.
That it was sailing on its own means tests have been conducted on its engine, stern and engineering systems, he said.
Video clips also showed that the draft of the submarine — the depth of the vessel below the waterline — is deeper than in its previous round of tests in April, Su said.
A deeper draft means all the key equipment has been installed with fuel functions operational, indicating the harbor acceptance test is almost completed, and the Hai Kun could soon move on to the sea test, he said.
The submarine’s sea test was supposed to begin in April and be completed by Sept. 30 to meet the November delivery deadline, according to the original timeline set by the Ministry of National Defense.
However, media reports have repeatedly detailed setbacks to the schedule.
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