TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hai Kun (海鯤號), Taiwan's domestically built submarine prototype also known as Narwhal, embarked on its second sea trial on Thursday (June 26). The vessel left Kaohsiung Port (高雄港) at about 8 a.m. and returned at 2:30 p.m. under the surveillance of CSBC Corporation (台船), and the Navy's 256th Submarine Squadron.
Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) explained that the initial sea trial focused on stability testing and that the submarine will undergo three to four more buoyancy tests. Minister of National Defense Welling Koo (顧立雄) highlighted that the testing program involves approximately 34 items, divided into buoyancy, shallow water, and deep water phases.
CSBC Corporation reported that the first sea trial successfully tested propulsion, rudder, power, ventilation, communication, and navigation systems. Hai Kun's return to Kaohsiung Port was accompanied by a workboat escort, ensuring the submarine's safe passage back to the CSBC dry dock.
