Taiwan’s first indigenous defense submarine prototype, the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal,” today left port for the first time to begin its sea acceptance tests, a source said.
On Saturday last week, the Hai Kun was spotted operating under its own power in the Port of Kaohsiung, leading to speculation that the submarine had entered the last stages of its harbor acceptance tests, the final step before sea acceptance tests can be conducted.
The Hai Kun's sea acceptance tests were originally scheduled for April, but were delayed.
Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei Times
At 8am today, the submarine was seen leaving Kaohsiung’s Cijin Island (旗津), escorted by a pilot vessel and other units that exercise control of the sea zone.
This morning, a person familiar with the matter said that the Hai Kun had completed the harbor tests and would sail out of Kaohsiung today for a formal sea test.
The submarine was expected to return to port at 3pm today, they said.
Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) previously said that there was no set schedule for the tests.
The submarine would leave port only when safety is ensured, he said.
Last month, the navy said that the Hai Kun had reached the final stage of preparations before being deemed ready to leave port, and that it was still expecting to receive the vessel in November.
Taiwan plans to build seven submarines in three batches of two, then three, then two, using lessons from the Hai Kun to optimize and improve construction of subsequent models.
Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corp last month signed a contract with the government to build the submarines, but at this stage is only preparing workers, materials and machinery.
The Legislative Yuan earlier this year froze the submarine budget at 50 percent, or NT$1 billion (US$33.87 million).
The budget could be unfrozen if the Hai Kun passes its sea acceptance tests and the Legislative Yuan receives a special report.
Construction on submarines can only begin once the budget is approved by lawmakers.
Additional reporting by CNA
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