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The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Taiwan-built submarine delivery in doubt over testing delays, ‘pipe leaks'
Taiwan's first locally built submarine faced new doubts over whether the vessel could meet a November delivery deadline to the island's navy as it had yet to begin long-awaited sea trials, with a new schedule yet to be confirmed. The Hai Kun, or Narwhal, part of Taiwan's Indigenous Defence Submarine (IDS) programme, had originally been slated to begin Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) in April. But there had been no sign of progress by the end of the month, despite earlier pledges from the military that testing would proceed on schedule. Former navy captain Kuo Hsi, who served as a construction adviser on the project, said during a recent live-streaming on social media that repeated piping system failures had resulted in compartment flooding, forcing foreign testing teams to suspend work. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. 'Pipes have broken or been pulled loose again,' Kuo said recently on a social media political talk show. 'Do you know how many times water has rushed into the Hai Kun?' He added that the vessel had not yet completed its Harbour Acceptance Test, a prerequisite for proceeding to sea. 'There are more than 4,000 checkpoints for the Integrated Platform Management System [IPMS], but fewer than 400 have been tested,' Kuo said on the programme. 'So far, not even 10 per cent. And you think it can go to sea in April? How?' Given the delays in IPMS testing, Kuo doubted the SAT could begin in June, much less be completed by the end of September, as previously planned. The navy declined to comment on Kuo's statements, but did confirm in a statement on Monday that the Hai Kun's major systems were still undergoing joint testing and calibration. 'The shipbuilder, original system technicians and oversight teams are collaborating in accordance with contract and acceptance standards,' it said in the statement. On Tuesday, Vice-Admiral Chiu Chun-jung, chief of staff of the Taiwanese navy, said the Hai Kun had entered the final phase of preparations before sea trials. 'Once safety checks and testing procedures confirm that conditions are met, a date for deployment at sea will be set,' he said at a news conference, adding that the navy was managing the process to ensure the vessel was delivered on schedule by November. A military source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the most critical phase of sea trials would involve the test-firing of an exercise torpedo. 'That firing was initially scheduled for late October,' the source said. 'If all tests pass, final delivery to the navy would follow in November. But with sea trials still hanging in the air, it's difficult to say if that timeline can be met.' Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo acknowledged last month that a schedule for the sea trial 'cannot yet be confirmed, but we hope to proceed as soon as possible'. 'CSBC Taiwan [the shipbuilder] is working overtime to address the issues,' Koo told reporters on April 23. 'We've instructed the navy to ensure safety standards are fully met before going to sea.' Defence analysts said setbacks like water leaks were 'not uncommon' considering that it was the first submarine produced by Taiwan. 'Submarine piping systems must withstand pressure when submerged,' said Shu Hsiao-huang, a senior analyst at the military-affiliated Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR). 'If pressure conditions during harbour testing aren't simulated correctly, pipe ruptures and water ingress can occur.' 'Flooding issues aren't unusual during shipbuilding. That is exactly why harbour tests are so important,' said Hsinbiao Jiang, also of INDSR, adding that foreign contractors would not go to sea unless those tests were completed. 'Why would they risk their lives otherwise?' The Hai Kun prototype, which cost NT$26 billion (US$898 million), is equipped with diesel-electric propulsion and an X-shaped rudder for manoeuvring in shallow waters. It carries a US-made Lockheed Martin combat system and will be equipped with MK-48 heavyweight torpedoes. In August 2024, Taiwan approved a NT$284 billion plan to construct seven additional submarines over the next 14 years – an ambitious expansion aimed at boosting the island's undersea deterrence in the face of growing cross-strait tensions. Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was elected the island's leader in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to arm Taiwan. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan-built submarine delivery in doubt over testing delays, ‘pipe leaks'
Taiwan 's first locally built submarine faced new doubts over whether the vessel could meet a November delivery deadline to the island's navy as it had yet to begin long-awaited sea trials, with a new schedule yet to be confirmed. Advertisement The Hai Kun , or Narwhal, part of Taiwan's Indigenous Defence Submarine (IDS) programme, had originally been slated to begin Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) in April. But there had been no sign of progress by the end of the month, despite earlier pledges from the military that testing would proceed on schedule. Former navy captain Kuo Hsi, who served as a construction adviser on the project, said during a recent live-streaming on social media that repeated piping system failures had resulted in compartment flooding, forcing foreign testing teams to suspend work. 'Pipes have broken or been pulled loose again,' Kuo said recently on a social media political talk show. 'Do you know how many times water has rushed into the Hai Kun?' He added that the vessel had not yet completed its Harbour Acceptance Test, a prerequisite for proceeding to sea. 'There are more than 4,000 checkpoints for the Integrated Platform Management System [IPMS], but fewer than 400 have been tested,' Kuo said on the programme. Advertisement 'So far, not even 10 per cent. And you think it can go to sea in April? How?'
Iraqi News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Taiwan's Domestically Built Submarine Enters Sea Trials to Strengthen Defense Against Chinese Invasion Threat
According to information published on April 4, 2025, by the " Liberty Time Net", a prominent daily newspaper in Taiwan, Taiwan's first domestically built submarine, the Hai Kun (also known as "Narwhal"), is nearing the completion of its Harbor Acceptance Tests (HAT) and is poised to commence Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) by mid to late April 2025. This development marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program, aimed at bolstering the nation's maritime defense capabilities in the face of increasing geopolitical tension in the region, especially regarding the growing military pressure from China. The HAT (Harbor Acceptance Tests) phase, which assesses the submarine's basic functionalities and systems while docked, has been largely completed. Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation (TSMC), the contractor in charge of the program, is currently making final adjustments and submitting results to the Navy Command for review. The submarine is scheduled to transition into the more rigorous SAT (Sea Acceptance Tests) phase, which comprehensively evaluates its systems and performance in open water. The SAT is expected to begin this April and conclude by October 2025, with the Hai Kun anticipated to be formally delivered to the Taiwanese Navy in November. One of the most critical aspects of the SAT phase is the launch of a "control mine" to verify that the submarine's combat systems meet operational requirements. This particular test is slated for late October. After successfully completing all sea trial objectives, the Hai Kun will become Taiwan's first operational indigenous submarine—a landmark achievement in its defense industry. In addition to the Hai Kun prototype, Taiwan has laid out a structured plan to expand its submarine fleet through a three-phase production process labeled as "2+3+2", referring to two submarines in the first batch, three in the second, and two in the third. The agreement for the first two production submarines is expected to be signed within 2025. By 2029, Taiwan aims to deploy a fleet of eight domestically-built submarines. Technically, the Hai Kun-class submarine boasts a submerged displacement of around 2,500 metric tons and can dive to depths of approximately 350 meters—significantly deeper than Taiwan's existing Chien Lung-class (also known as Stegosaurus-class) submarines. It is equipped with the U.S.-made MK48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes, widely regarded as one of the most powerful torpedoes in the world, capable of engaging both submarines and large surface warships. Future variants will also feature improved weapon systems, including submarine-launched UGM-84L Harpoon anti-ship missiles, thereby enhancing their strike capability against a range of maritime threats. The strategic significance of this indigenous submarine fleet cannot be overstated. In the context of a possible military invasion by China—a scenario that has become increasingly plausible amid Beijing's aggressive posture toward Taiwan—submarines offer Taiwan an asymmetric advantage. While China possesses a vastly larger and more modern navy, submarines allow Taiwan to strike strategically, especially against key naval assets, with minimal exposure. These underwater vessels can remain undetected for extended periods, monitor enemy movements, and disrupt amphibious assault operations, making them a cornerstone of Taiwan's deterrence and defense strategy. Moreover, submarines enhance Taiwan's ability to control the waters around its main island and its outer islands, complicating any potential blockade or invasion plan by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Their stealth, endurance, and strike power make them ideal for both defensive and offensive operations in contested waters. The establishment of a domestic submarine production capability also ensures greater autonomy for Taiwan in its long-term defense planning, especially amid increasing difficulties in procuring advanced systems from foreign countries due to Chinese pressure. The Taiwanese Hai Kun's domestically built submarine's progress toward operational status represents a technological achievement and a strategic turning point for Taiwan's defense policy. The ability to field an indigenous fleet of advanced submarines provides the island nation with a potent tool for national survival and resistance in an increasingly unstable security environment.
South China Morning Post
26-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
First Taiwan-made submarine Hai Kun on track for April sea trials, defence ministry says
Taiwan will begin sea acceptance testing (SAT) of its first locally built submarine prototype in April, marking a critical step in bolstering undersea combat capabilities as Beijing steps up military pressure on the island. Advertisement Taiwan's defence ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the submarine, named Hai Kun, or Narwhal, will proceed with the sea trials as scheduled, dismissing concerns about delays in earlier phases of testing. Unveiled in September 2023 , the prototype entered its harbour acceptance test (HAT) phase in November. While the SAT is set for April, local media reports suggest that the HAT process has encountered unexpected challenges. Reports cite instability in the shore-based power supply, causing voltage fluctuations that damage multiple subsystem components. The vessel's optical-electronic periscope system is also reported to have experienced hydraulic instability, requiring ongoing calibration. Both factors are potentially contributing to delays. The defence ministry rejected the reports on Tuesday. 'There are no issues with unstable shore power voltage, and the submarine's battery installation is proceeding as planned,' ministry spokesman Sun Li-fan said. 03:42 Taiwan unveils first home-built submarine to fend off possible attack from mainland China Taiwan unveils first home-built submarine to fend off possible attack from mainland China Certain components may need to be replaced during testing, but this was 'a normal part of the process', Sun said, emphasising that 'based on the navy's assessment, the next phase [SAT] will proceed according to the planned timeline'.
