Local shipbuilder CSBC Corp announced on 17 June that it has commenced sea trials of Taiwan’s first indigenously developed diesel-electric submarine in the southern port of Kaohsiung.
The prototype submarine successfully manoeuvred under its own power within the port area and is one of three stages planned for its first trial.
“CSBC Corporation will continue, based on the test results, to adjust and improve each system, and proceed to the next phase of submerged navigation tests,” the company said in its statement.
A separate announcement from the Republic of China Navy (RoCN) earlier noted that it expects sea trials to be completed by the end of September and delivery by end of November.
Taiwan earlier unveiled the prototype during a ceremony led by former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at CSBC’s facilities in October 2023. Then-President Tsai revealed that the new submarine will be christened ROCS Hai Kun – after a mythical sea creature – once it has completed its developmental and trial phases and commissioned into service.
According to local reports, Hai Kun has an overall length and beam of about 70 and 8 metres, and will likely displace about 2,700 tonnes at full load. The boat is expected to be completed in 2024 and delivered to the RoCN in 2025.
Although detailed performance specifications remain unconfirmed, the RoCN is reportedly expecting an operational range of up to 6,000 nautical miles as well as surface and submerged speeds of around 8 kt and 17 kt, respectively.
It is also expected to be armed with US-made Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, with combat management and sonar systems supplied by US companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Other equipment approved for transfer by the US include optronic masts, torpedo tubes, propulsion equipment, and other critical engineering and mission equipment.
CSBC Corporation was awarded a design and construction contract for a prototype SSK in May 2019. The company had earlier declared that the first production-standard boat is expected to be completed at its purpose-built submarine construction facility in the third quarter of 2024, followed by sea trials and commissioning in 2025.
It is understood that Taiwan is seeking to build up to eight Hai Kun-class SSKs worth up to US$16 billion.
The RoCN presently operates an obsolete submarine force comprising two refurbished Dutch-built Zwaardvis/Hai Lung (Sea Dragon)-class SSKs acquired in the late 1980s.
by Jr Ng
