TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) revealed Tuesday (April 29) that the nation's first domestically built submarine, Hai Kun (海鯤號), is entering the final phases of system calibration and testing. While April had been targeted for initial sea trials, Chiu emphasized that ensuring proper safety conditions takes precedence over meeting the preliminary timeline.
Addressing concerns at the Ministry of National Defense's (MND, 國防部) regular press conference, Chiu highlighted the ongoing collaboration between shipbuilder CSBC Corp (台船) and naval forces to ensure the submarine's readiness. The Hai Kun, constructed with a NT$49.3 billion (US$1.53 billion) budget, has completed dockside testing but awaits final verification before sea trials commence. Chiu reaffirmed the project remains a priority given the vessel's strategic importance to Taiwan's defense capabilities.
When questioned about potential budgetary impacts from the delay, Chiu explained that the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, had previously mandated the completion of sea trials for seven vessels as a prerequisite for budget approval. Defense officials plan to submit their report to egisators by Sept. 30 to ensure procurement processes can proceed unhindered during the year's second half.
The landmark submarine project, originally scheduled for April sea trials, may experience delays as defense officials prioritize operational readiness over rigid timetables. Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) acknowledged on April 23 that technical challenges in the submarine's development continue to be addressed. Koo expressed optimism about maintaining the November delivery target, suggesting flexibility in the sea trial schedule would not compromise the overall project timeline. ★
