Kaohsiung: Taiwan's first indigenous defense submarine, the Narwhal, embarked on its sea trials as it sailed out of the Port of Kaohsiung. The vessel, also known as Hai Kun, began its journey at approximately 8 a.m. from CSBC Corp. Taiwan's shipyard, marking a significant milestone in the nation's defense capabilities.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Narwhal recently completed a harbor acceptance test (HAT) and will now undergo a series of evaluations, including its propulsion and navigational systems. The tests will be conducted with part of the submarine above the surface. The vessel has undergone test sails in the port over the weekend to fine-tune its propulsion system.

During the sea trials, the Narwhal will be under heavy protection by other Navy vessels, including M109 assault boats, Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats, and Cheng Kung-class frigates. These sea trials, also known as sea acceptance tests (SAT), are crucial for determining if the newly built submarine meets its contractual performance specifications.

While part of the testing requires full submersion of the submarine, the Navy has not disclosed the timeline for these submerged tests. Despite this, Navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung confirmed that the delivery deadline for the submarine in November remains unchanged.

The Narwhal program has faced multiple delays, as initially, it was expected to be delivered by the end of 2024. However, technical issues, including voltage surges from an onshore power supply, have postponed the completion of harbor trials to April 30, 2025. Allegations of leaking made by former Navy advisor Kuo Hsi have also added to the program's challenges, although the Navy has chosen not to comment on these claims.