On May 4, 2024, Taiwanese media LTN reported that US defense company L3 Harris had not yet delivered the optronic masts for the Hai Kun submarine, despite the scheduled delivery in January 2024. The first-in-class submarine was launched in late February 2024.
The Harbor Acceptance Test (HAT) of the Hai Kun was supposed to be completed by the end of April 2024. An anonymous source quoted by LTN indicated that the head of Taiwan’s navy, Admiral Tang Hua, was very cautious and dedicated to the indigenous submarine project. The source mentioned that Admiral Tang insisted the Hai Kun must pass all tests and be approved step-by-step, stating that the navy would not accept the submarine if it did not complete and qualify all items of the HAT and the subsequent Sea Acceptance Test (SAT).
The NSC ‘submarine tsar’, Admiral (ret.) Huang Shu-kuang, was rumored to be resigning, which could negatively impact the production of follow-on submarines. Admiral Huang issued a statement saying his resignation was due to national security concerns and expressed a desire to stop political wrangling that could harm the nation’s defense capabilities. However, the transition team for the 16th president and vice president later confirmed that Admiral Huang would remain as an advisor to the NSC.
On May 17, LTN quoted an anonymous military source, stating that after a four-month delay, one set of optronic masts for the Hai Kun had arrived in Taiwan, with the second set expected to arrive a week later. This completion meant that all systems for the Hai Kun had arrived. The source also mentioned that the submarine would begin conducting the Sea Acceptance Test at the end of May, once the optronic masts and batteries were installed and tested. Admiral Huang will lead the Indigenous Defense Submarine program team and oversee critical SAT items for the Hai Kun, such as firing training torpedoes and examining combat systems performance. CSBC chairman Cheng Wen-lon will also be aboard to witness the SAT items.
Taiwan’s Current Submarine Force
Aside from the advanced but yet-to-be-delivered Hai Kun, Taiwan’s navy (ROC Navy) currently operates four submarines:
- ROCS Hai Shih (Sea Lion), SS-791 and ROCS Hai Pao (Seal), SS-792: These 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 are still operational and reportedly capable of combat.
- Chien Lung-class (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, purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s. They are equipped with AEG SUT 264 heavyweight torpedoes produced under license from Indonesia in the 1980s, Harpoon missiles purchased from the U.S. in 2008, and MK-48 torpedoes acquired from the U.S. in 2017.
