TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Hai Kun-class submarine's (海鯤號潛艦) harbor acceptance tests (HAT) are 83% to 85% complete, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said on Monday (Nov. 25), indicating a notable increase from the 50% to 60% progress in September.
The Navy plans to begin sea acceptance tests (SAT) on April 1, 2025, and continue through Sept. 30, Chiu added. According to the current progress, the Navy is hopeful of delivering the Hai Kun-class submarine in November 2025, addressing any deficiencies identified during harbor tests.
To support the third phase of the indigenous submarine program, the ministry has allocated NT$1.99 billion. However, Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) proposed reducing this budget to NT$1.79 billion, leaving NT$200 million for preliminary contract signing next year.
In a legislative session, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) emphasized that the ministry will not utilize the budget until the SAT is successfully completed. Koo stated that if the budget is pre-allocated, it can be used once the tests are passed in 2025; otherwise, the shipbuilding plans will face delays until 2026.
As Taiwan advances its submarine capabilities, the government's strategic budget decisions will play a crucial role in ensuring the timely completion of the Hai Kun-class submarine and future vessels. The ongoing discussions in the legislature highlight the need for careful financial planning to support national defense objectives.