By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
Taiwan’s first Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS), Hai Kun (SS-711), is ready to begin sea trials. This milestone comes after a delay in the delivery of its optronic masts. The optronic masts for the Hai Kun were scheduled for delivery in January 2024 by US defense company L3 Harris. However, due to production and supply chain issues, the delivery was delayed. Despite this setback, the first-in-class submarine was launched in late February 2024.
The Harbor Acceptance Test (HAT) for the Hai Kun was initially scheduled to be completed by April 2024. An unnamed source cited by LTN suggested that Admiral Tang Hua, the head of Taiwan’s navy, was extremely meticulous and committed to the indigenous submarine project. The source noted that Admiral Tang demanded that the Hai Kun pass all tests and be approved incrementally, asserting that the navy would not accept the submarine unless it successfully completed and passed all aspects of the HAT and the subsequent Sea Acceptance Test (SAT).
Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, the NSC’s ‘submarine tsar’ and a retired admiral, was rumored to be stepping down, a move that could potentially disrupt the production of future submarines. In a statement, Admiral Huang attributed his resignation to concerns over national security and expressed his wish to halt political disputes that could undermine the country’s defense capabilities. However, the transition team for the 16th president and vice president later confirmed that Admiral Huang would continue to serve as an advisor to the NSC.
After a four-month delay, one set of optronic masts for the Hai Kun arrived in Taiwan, with the second set expected to arrive a week later. The submarine would begin conducting the Sea Acceptance Test at the end of May, once the optronic masts and batteries were installed and tested.
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Admiral Huang is set to spearhead the team for the Indigenous Defense Submarine program, taking charge of pivotal SAT components for the Hai Kun. His responsibilities encompass the launch of practice torpedoes and the evaluation of the effectiveness of combat systems. Cheng Wen-lon, the chairman of CSBC, will also be present on board to observe these SAT components in action. Apart from the sophisticated Hai Kun, which is yet to be commissioned, the Republic of China (ROC) Navy in Taiwan presently has four submarines in operation.
These include ROCS Hai Shih (Sea Lion), SS-791 and ROCS Hai Pao (Seal), SS-792. These two World War II vintage submarines were transferred from the U.S. in the 1970s. Both underwent Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) conversions and are unofficially referred to as Guppy class in Taiwan. They remain operational and are reportedly combat-ready. Also, we have the Chien Lung-class (also known as Hai Lung-class or Sea Dragon class). This class includes ROCS Hai Lung (Sea Dragon), SS-793 and ROCS Hai Hu (Sea Tiger), SS-794, which were purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s. They are equipped with AEG SUT 264 heavyweight torpedoes produced under license from Indonesia in the 1980s, which Harpoon missiles purchased from the U.S. in 2008, and MK-48 torpedoes acquired from the U.S. in 2017.
The Hai Kun represents a significant milestone in Taiwan’s defense capabilities. Despite the delay in the delivery of its optronic masts, the submarine is now ready for sea trials. This development underscores Taiwan’s commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities amid increasing regional tensions. The successful completion of the sea trials will mark a new era in Taiwan’s naval defense strategy.
