The Taiwanese Navy continues to advance its ambitious national program for the construction of new attack submarines, following confirmation of the contract signing for the first two serial production units of the Hai Kun class. This development marks a key step in strengthening the local naval force’s capabilities, signaling the transition from the initial prototype to a more sustained and consolidated production phase.
According to reports from local media and military sources, the two new submarines are part of the first production batch under the “2+3+2” construction scheme, which envisions a total of seven domestically built units under the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program. While the first submarine, named Hai Kun, is considered a prototype, these two upcoming units will feature slight modifications based on the tests and adjustments carried out during the development and harbor trial phases.
As previously reported, the Hai Kun prototype, known as ROCS Narwhal (SS-711), is still undergoing its evaluation process, with harbor acceptance trials (HAT) nearing completion and awaiting official confirmation for the start of sea acceptance trials (SAT). Taiwanese military authorities have maintained the vessel’s delivery date for November of this year, with no changes to the original timeline. Once operational, the Narwhal will represent a milestone as the first attack submarine designed and built on Taiwanese soil. Measuring 260 feet in length and displacing between 2,460 and 2,950 tons, it will be equipped with U.S.-made MK-48 Mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes.
Although the contract for the new units has already been awarded to CSBC Corporation Taiwan, budget approval is still contingent upon the results of the Hai Kun’s sea trials, as required by the Legislative Yuan. For this reason, only preliminary tasks are currently underway, such as material preparation, personnel assignments, and equipment staging, with construction set to begin as soon as funding is released.
Taiwan’s submarine program envisions the construction of eight indigenously designed submarines (including the Narwhal), which will be added to the existing two Chien Lung-class submarines. According to military authorities, all of these new underwater platforms will be equipped with U.S.-made MK-48 Mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes, and the incorporation of anti-ship missiles is also under evaluation, with the next-generation Harpoon among the leading options being considered.
Finally, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense emphasized that this capability will enhance deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, providing a fleet of modern submarines equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry. Although the development of the Hai Kun has faced technical challenges—mainly due to the integration of multiple systems from various countries—it is expected that the upcoming units will reflect a more efficient construction process, capitalizing on the experience gained from the prototype.
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