Delay in forthcoming underwater vessel test for indigenous build
Alright, let's dive into the latest updates about Taiwan's homegrown submarine, the Narwhal, aka the Hai Kun. The due date for its sea trials is fast approaching, and it seems like things ain't going smoothly.
Initially scheduled to kick off this month, the sea trials for the Hai Kun have hit some serious roadblocks. Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung confirmed that they're working their asses off to meet the technical requirements set for sea trials, even if it means missing the original April deadline. And don't let 'em fool you into thinking they'll miss their mark - Chiu emphasized that their focus is on safety and operational readiness, not the schedule.
So what's causing all this trouble? Looks like technical challenges and safety concerns during final system calibrations. When they were testing the submarine, voltage surges from the land-based power supply cockblocked some components and caused a batch of failures. To make things rightside-up, CSBC Corp and naval engineers have been working tirelessly to address these lingering issues.
As we stand in late April 2025, the submarine is still in the final stages of system testing. No precise sea trial date has been set yet, pending strict adherence to safety protocols. Harbor trials have been completed, but the sea acceptance tests are still on hold, waiting for final verification.
The Ministry of National Defense still aims to deliver the Hai Kun to the navy by November 2025 - that's the plan, at least. If things go according to the plan, bureaucrats in the legislature will unfreeze the funding that's been withheld since earlier this year. The funding freeze came after the Chinese Nationalist Party and Taiwan People's Party accused the submarine's budget of being bloated, following reports of delays and failed harbor trials last year.
But even if they miss the November deadline, it's not all doom and gloom for the submarine. The Ministry of National Defense has its sights set on building eight indigenous submarines by 2038, with a total budget of NT$284 billion (US$8.6 billion). Quite a hefty sum, if you ask me.
Now, to clarify some of the dirty laundry that's been thrown around, let's make one thing clear: the earlier reports of delays related to battery installations were hogwash. The power systems are running smooth as silk.
The Hai Kun plays a crucial role in Taiwan’s defense strategy. Modernizing their aging fleet, which currently consists of some outdated Dutch-built submarines and Guppy-class vessels, is essential to countering potential maritime threats. Here's hoping they get their acts together soon and set sail on these sea trials!
- The sea trials for the Hai Kun, initially scheduled for April, are facing setbacks due to technical challenges and safety concerns during final system calibrations.
- In spite of missing the April deadline, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung emphasized they are determined to prioritize safety and operational readiness over the schedule.
- Huang, being a bystander, is hoping for a swift resolution of the technical issues, as the Hai Kun plays a crucial role in Taiwan's defense strategy and the completion of the sea trials will pave the way for modernizing their aging submarine fleet.
