SOURCE: AFI
Taiwan marked a significant milestone in its defense strategy as its first domestically built submarine, the Hai Kun (SS-711), commenced sea trials, a development reported by Army Recognition. The submarine, constructed by the state-backed CSBC Corporation, is a cornerstone of Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program, aimed at strengthening its naval capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.
The Hai Kun’s trials, which began as scheduled despite earlier funding challenges, underscore Taiwan’s determination to counter the growing threat of a Chinese invasion, particularly as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) intensifies its activities in the region.
The Hai Kun, also known as the Narwhal, is Taiwan’s first indigenously designed and constructed submarine, a project initiated in 2016 under President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration. The diesel-electric vessel, with a displacement of approximately 2,500 tons, is designed to enhance Taiwan’s underwater warfare capabilities, providing a crucial deterrent against China’s naval dominance in the Taiwan Strait. The submarine is equipped with advanced sonar systems, torpedoes, and potentially anti-ship missiles, making it a formidable platform for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence-gathering missions. It is scheduled to be commissioned into the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) in November 2025, following the completion of its sea acceptance tests (SAT).
The sea trials, which began this month, are a critical phase in validating the Hai Kun’s operational capabilities. The tests will evaluate the submarine’s propulsion, stealth features, and combat systems under real-world conditions. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has emphasized that the trials are proceeding as planned, rejecting earlier claims of delays due to power supply issues at CSBC facilities. Military spokesperson Major General Sun Li-fang confirmed in February 2025 that the submarine’s batteries were installed without glitches, and the Navy was confident in meeting its April timeline for SAT.
The Hai Kun is the first of a planned fleet of eight indigenous submarines, with construction spanning from 2025 to 2038 at an estimated cost of NT$284 billion (approximately $8.6 billion). This ambitious program aims to modernize Taiwan’s aging submarine fleet, which currently consists of two Dutch-built Hai Lung-class submarines from the 1980s and two World War II-era Guppy-class submarines used primarily for training. The new submarines are expected to play a pivotal role in preventing China from encircling Taiwan and cutting off its access to external resources—a likely strategy in the event of a Chinese invasion.
A lesser-known but significant aspect of the Hai Kun’s development is the involvement of Indian engineers, technicians, and former naval officers. According to Open Source Information, India was among seven countries assisting Taiwan in its IDS program, with Indian experts actively contributing to the submarine’s design and construction. These professionals, reportedly hired by the Taiwanese Navy and CSBC, brought valuable experience from India’s own submarine-building programs, such as the Kalvari-class (Scorpène-class) submarines constructed under Project 75 in collaboration with France’s Naval Group.
This collaboration, while not officially acknowledged by either government, underscores the strategic alignment between India and Taiwan in countering China’s maritime ambitions. India, which faces its own challenges with Chinese naval activities in the IOR, has a vested interest in supporting Taiwan’s defense capabilities, particularly in the underwater domain where China holds a numerical advantage with its fleet of over 60 submarines.
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