Taiwan’s Leap into Indigenous Submarine Development: A Strategic Move for Maritime Defense

In the realm of maritime defense, the ability to build and maintain a fleet of submarines is often seen as a hallmark of a nation’s strategic autonomy and military prowess. Taiwan’s recent foray into this exclusive club with the launch of its first Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) is a testament to its commitment to self-reliance and defense modernization.

The IDS, christened Hai Kun (SS-711), represents a significant leap forward for Taiwan. The submarine was launched on February 22, 2024, at the CSBC shipyard in Kaohsiung, marking a historic moment for Taiwan’s silent service. The Hai Kun is the culmination of a project that began in 2016 with the goal of modernizing Taiwan’s submarine fleet and establishing a domestic submarine industry.

The Hai Kun is an evolution of the Dutch Walrus-class with a hybrid single/double hull and features such as the X rudder. It is equipped with six torpedo tubes and various mission-critical systems and subsystems provided by foreign contractors, including L3 Harris. The launch involved the use of a massive 35,000-ton Floating Drydock, Jong Shyn №8, showcasing Taiwan’s growing capabilities in naval engineering.

After the launch, the Hai Kun underwent the first phase of the Harbor Acceptance Trial, which included watertight tests, weight distribution control, ballast control, and stability control tests of the hull. The second phase will involve propulsion system checks, subsystem checks, calibration, and installation of additional equipment like batteries and Mast Raising Equipment (Optronics, ESM, Radar, and Communication Masts).

The Sea Acceptance Trial is expected to occur no earlier than the second half of the year, as some mission systems have yet to arrive in Taiwan. The delivery of the submarine to the Taiwanese Navy is anticipated by the end of the year, although no concrete sea trial schedule has been confirmed due to the dependency on the progress of the current Harbor Acceptance Trial.

Taiwan’s IDS program is not just about a single submarine; it is about the broader vision of securing the necessary capabilities to protect its interests in the region. The Hai Kun serves as a prototype for up to seven possible follow-on ships, which will further enhance the ROCN’s undersea warfare capability.

This development is a clear indication of Taiwan’s commitment to self-reliance in defense and its efforts to secure the necessary capabilities to protect its interests in the region. The IDS program is a strategic move that will likely influence the geopolitical dynamics in East Asia, particularly in the context of cross-strait relations and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.

As Taiwan continues to navigate the complex waters of international politics and security, the successful launch of the Hai Kun stands as a symbol of its resilience and determination to maintain a robust defense posture. It is a move that will undoubtedly be watched closely by friends and potential adversaries alike.

The journey of the Hai Kun from conception to launch is a story of innovation, collaboration, and strategic foresight. It is a narrative that underscores the importance of indigenous defense capabilities in an increasingly uncertain world. As Taiwan’s first IDS takes to the seas, it carries with it the hopes of a nation determined to chart its own course in the turbulent tides of the 21st century.