The China News Service (CNS) has reported that the first “self-built submarine” (named “Haikun”), which the Taiwan authorities have spent about NT$50 billion (about US$1.555 billion) to build, will have its sea trials date postponed. According to recent Taiwan media reports, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan constructed “Haikun” is currently testing at berth, but more than 70 items have failed to pass the test, and need to make up. It was originally estimated that the sea-going test in October this year would be postponed to next year.
It is understood that the Taiwan authorities “self-built submarines” related program began in 2016, in May 2019 set the contract period, in November 2020 held a “steel cutting ceremony”. At the steel cutting ceremony, Tsai Ing-wen, the then leader of the Taiwan government, declared that the commencement of the construction of the “self-built submarine“demonstrates the determination to implement defense autonomy.
In September 2023, a naming and launching ceremony for Hai Kun was held in Kaohsiung, presided over by Tsai Ing-wen. According to Taiwan media reports, the venue security measures are tight, professional military reporters are forbidden to go to the interview, and there was news that the battery and mast of Haikun had not yet been installed at that time. Tsai has been criticized for being too good to be true and for “considering the submarine as an important marker for his personal historical positioning.”
In February 2024, when the “Haikun” carried out the “floating ship test operation”, it was reported that at that time, the “Haikun” still had a lot of equipment not installed, and it was almost empty, and the draft was not deep, exposing more than half of its hull.
Reportedly, “Haikun” will be installed with electric batteries, periscopes and other equipment, as well as power and other tests at the CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, and only after everything meets the standards will it be able to go out to sea.
At that time, there were quite a few “experts” on the island who said that “the test will be completed soon, and the sea trials can be carried out right away”. This “right away” has not happened until now, but in September it was rumored that more than 70 items had not yet passed the test, and the sea trials are expected to be delayed until next year.