Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal,” continued sea trials yesterday, drawing many naval enthusiasts to Kaohsiung’s waterfront.
People were spotted waving the Taiwanese flag and holding banners to show support for the submarine project.
The submarine sailed out to sea from CSBC Corp, Taiwan’s shipyard for its sixth sea trial, or sea acceptance test.
Photo: CNA
Acceptance tests are a formal series of trials conducted while out to sea to evaluate whether a newly built or significantly upgraded vessel meets its contractual performance specifications before it is delivered to the customer.
CSBC, the main contractor for the prototype of the Hai Kun, completed the fifth acceptance test for the submarine on Nov. 28 last year.
It was previously reported that the Hai Kun would conduct a diving test yesterday, but it was later confirmed that the vessel is still preparing and verifying readiness before the diving test.
Photo: CNA
The shipbuilder said it was unable to provide details on how the acceptance test went yesterday, adding that it could not specify when delivery of the Hai Kun is expected.
The company has been accruing fines since November 2025, after missing the delivery deadline for Taiwan’s first domestically built defense submarine.
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