SS-711 Narwhal: Taiwan’s 1st ‘Cutting Edge’ Indigenous Submarine Surfaces To Challenge Chinese Dragon

On February 27, Taiwan raised the curtain on its first domestically-developed Narwhal submarine when it entered open waters. The images of the vessel that surfaced on X reveal intriguing and advanced features that had previously been concealed. 

Dubbed “Narwhal” in English and “Hai Kun” in Chinese, this prototype has undergone rigorous harbor acceptance tests at the CSBC Corp. shipyard in Kaohsiung since October last year, following its unveiling ceremony in late September.

The Hai Kun (SS-711), a diesel-electric design, represents the first of eight planned hulls poised to rejuvenate Taiwan’s aging submarine fleet.

On the evening of February 26, the prototype was towed from the CSBC Corp. factory to the nearby Jong Shyn floating dock No. 8 before being transferred to an adjacent dry dock for final harbor acceptance tests (HAT) on February 27.

The vessel’s journey from the factory to the floating dock and subsequently to the dry dock unfolded in three distinct stages, culminating in the launching of the warship.

CSBC Corp.’s test operation schedule outlined that the first phase involved towing the floating dock to the Pier 2 navigation channel from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on February 27.

The second phase, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., encompassed the detachment of the vessel from the floating dock, involving detailed inspection, personnel positioning, and precise placement of the warship in the water.

Finally, the third phase, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., centered on towing the submarine into the CSBC dock, marking the culmination of the operation.

As the Narwhal transitioned from the factory to the floating dock, many spectators, including media representatives, seized the opportunity to capture videos and photographs of the indigenous submarine.

Earlier reports had suggested that acceptance trials for the submarine would commence in late April, with delivery anticipated before the end of the year. There have, however, been indications of potential delays in the process.

According to retired navy captain Jiang Hsin-Biao, a scholar of the Taiwanese think tank, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), the HAT tests on February 28 at the dry dock were aimed to test the submarine’s actual displacement against its original design.

These tests include an inclining test to assess the ship’s stability and determine the coordinates of its center of gravity.

Additionally, the final HAT process at the dry dock will involve tests on all ship equipment, ventilation systems, and engine systems individually before conducting a comprehensive test by integrating the systems.

According to the Taiwanese military, successful completion of the HAT tests is a prerequisite for advancing to the next phase: the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT).

The recently-surfaced series of photos circulating on the internet provides a detailed glimpse of the Taiwan-made submarine, revealing intriguing and advanced features that had previously been concealed.

Last year, during the launch event, crucial components such as the bow, torpedo tubes, and other sensitive elements were shielded under the Republic of China (Taiwan) flag. This precautionary measure, explained by CSBC Chairman Cheng Wen-lon, was intended to prevent the exposure of confidential submarine parts pending further testing.

In the latest unveiling, after the prototype was moved on February 26, many of these once-hidden components were exposed, including the intercept sonar, flank sonar array, and torpedo tubes. The forward section of the hull displayed the torpedo tubes and the cylindrical array sonar (CAS), while atop the hull, an acoustic intercept/ranging array was visible. Further down, evidence of the passive ranging sonar (PRS) and flank sonar array was apparent.