Taiwanese submarine Hai Kun on further sea trials

A prototype submarine Hai Kun (SS-711), the first unit of this type built on the basis of Taiwan industry, entered the next phase of sea trials. At the end of the fifth phase of the tests involving verification of basic systems, the unit was directed to the waters of the Taiwan Strait, where tests will begin in immersion at higher depths.

For an ambitious program to build Taiwanese submarines, this is an important step, although earlier technical problems make the project still under careful observation by analysts.

Marine tests in immersion at higher depths

March 10 from China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) shipyard in Kaohsiung prototype submarine Hai Kun (SS-711) went out into the sea into the waters of the Taiwan Strait, where there are aquenes of greater depth.

^{Video comes from @TaiwanMilitary profile}

The strength of the rigid hull and the tightness of watertight compartments, as well as the operation of ballast systems responsible for dive and ascent units.

During the tests, the functioning of key ship systems under increased pressure conditions is also verified. This includes communication masts, snoring, sonars, air conditioning systems and life-support systems while the unit is at higher depths. Available the test information may include immersions exceeding 100 metres.

The positive completion of this phase will allow for further studies including the assessment of ship's maneuverability and the operation of underwater detection and communication systems.

Programme with numerous technical difficulties

However, progress in trials does not mean that the program of building a Taiwanese submarine is without problems. In recent months, industry media has repeatedly pointed to difficulties in integrating equipment from many different countries, as we have also written (link to text).

As the Asia Times portal pointed out, construction Hai Kuna So far, it has faced major challenges when combining elements such as sonars, masts and other ship systems into a single coherent combat management system and platform. The authors referred to this set of components as a specific "United Nations of Systems", stressing that the integration of devices from different countries on a prototype unit proved much more complicated than originally assumed.

Additional questions also arose in the context of the technical verification process of the unit. Some Western commentators indicated that the programme may not have a fully independent quality control system conducted by external institutions. In practice, this means that even with the official provision of shipyards and navy Taiwan the actual technical condition of the prototype remains difficult to assess unequivocally.

Ambitious Indigenous Defense Submarine Program (IDS)

Only a positive completion of these tests will allow for further tests including the assessment of the unit's maneuverability and the operation of detection and communication systems during underwater operations.

This is also an interesting example for our native yard – in the face of the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation we can soon face similar difficulties. When choosing the offer of the Swedish Saab Group, we decided to build a design that is still not in service, and its program faces delays reaching nearly a decade.