In parallel with the progress of sea and diving trials for Taiwan’s new submarine Hai Kun (SS-711), the Taiwan Navy has begun outlining plans to induct a new submarine rescue vessel—an increasingly critical capability as the country moves forward with the expansion and modernization of its submarine force. The initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to the new submarine construction program, which not only covers the induction of new combat platforms, but also the assets required to ensure safe employment margins, operational sustainment, and search-and-rescue tasks.
At present, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is evaluating the design and future construction of a vessel specialized in rescuing stricken submarines—an area in which Taiwan’s Navy currently has limited capacity, relying on two rescue and salvage ships acquired from the United States decades ago; namely: ROCS Da Hu (ARS-552) and ROCS Da Juen (ARS-556), survivors of the Diver and Bolster classes, respectively, and originally commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The project remains at an early stage, although ministry authorities have already acknowledged the need for a dedicated asset given the gradual increase in submarine activity across the region—both by Taiwan’s own navy and by allies.
This development comes at a key moment for Taiwan’s submarine program, shaped by progress on Hai Kun, the first locally designed and built submarine. According to the latest reports, the unit has already completed its first dive—an essential milestone in the test process—after months of delays and technical adjustments. These evaluations are part of an extensive campaign aimed at validating propulsion, control, safety, and habitability systems before the submarine’s future entry into active service.
As of today, Hai Kun represents the cornerstone of the Indigenous Submarine Defense program (ISD), through which the Taiwan Navy seeks to reduce external dependence and strengthen one of its most sensitive military capabilities. In this context, it is worth noting that the entry into service of this new submarine class inevitably entails infrastructure requirements—and above all, specific support assets, including units capable of responding to submarine emergencies.
Against this backdrop, and taking into account the platforms currently operated by other countries, a future submarine rescue vessel would enable the Taiwan Navy to conduct assistance, localization, and crew rescue missions, as well as technical support operations in accident scenarios. This type of platform is typically equipped with dynamic positioning systems, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), rescue bells, and hyperbaric chambers—capabilities that Taiwan does not currently possess in a dedicated form.
Local analysts note that planning for such a ship not only responds to operational safety considerations, but also sends a political and strategic signal: demonstrating that the country is building a complete and self-sufficient submarine force, capable of sustaining prolonged operations in an increasingly contested maritime environment.
Finally, beyond the speculation and delays that marked its early stages, progress with Hai Kun is beginning to take shape as one of Taiwan’s most ambitious projects in decades. Authorities in Taipei are not only aiming to successfully bring this first unit into service, but also maintain as an objective the construction of a fleet of up to eight locally designed submarines.
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