Overview
- The indigenous prototype carried out a shallow-water submerged navigation test on Jan. 29 and returned safely to port near Kaohsiung, according to CSBC.
- CSBC said preparatory checks on Jan. 26 verified the functionality of the sonar, propulsion, and underwater log systems to support safe diving.
- The company and local media indicate the full sequence of trials could run longer than a year based on experience with foreign submarine prototypes.
- Taiwan’s Navy has been fining CSBC since December 2025 after the builder missed the original delivery timeline.
- Legislators have tied release of an NT$1 billion tranche for seven additional submarines to completion of sea trials, while CSBC places Hai Kun’s construction cost at NT$37.9 billion excluding weapons and storage.