Taiwan's first indigenous defense submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal,” yesterday completed tests involving its propulsion, rudder, electricity, communication and navigation systems during its first day of floating navigation trials just outside the Port of Kaohsiung, its builder said late last night.
CSBC Corp, Taiwan said in a statement that it would fine-tune the systems based on the test results before moving on to the next stage of the submarine's sea trials.
The three stages of a submarine's sea trials are floating navigation, shallow depth testing and gradual depth increase testing, CSBC said.
Photo: CNA
In shallow depth testing, the submarine submerges to a shallow depth to test basic systems, the shipbuilder said.
During gradual depth increase tests, the submarine submerges further, testing systems at different pressures and depths to make sure the vessel can meet its combat needs, CSBC said.
Each of the three stages would feature several trials and adjustments to related systems, it added.
The navy and technicians involved with the parts and systems used in the prototype also took part in yesterday's trial, CSBC said.
The shipbuilder's statement confirmed what a military source said earlier in the day — that the Narwhal had begun sea trials after completing harbor acceptance tests, despite several delays.
Under the original timeline set by the Ministry of National Defense, the Hai Kun's sea trials were supposed to begin in April and be completed by Sept. 30 to meet a November delivery deadline.
Without directly confirming the delay, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said in an interview last month that the submarine's sea trials would only begin once all safety requirements were fully met.
Despite the delayed start to the sea trials, the contractual November deadline for the submarine to be delivered to the navy remained unchanged, navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said yesterday.
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