Taiwan's Indigenous Submarine Narwhal Begins New Sea Trials for October Delivery

Taiwan has taken another crucial step in its self-defense as the indigenous prototype submarine, the *Narwhal*, headed out to sea again from the CSBC Corporation, Taiwan's Kaohsiung shipyard on the morning of the 21st to begin a new phase of sea trials. This underwater combat asset, which embodies the dedication of the domestic shipbuilding industry and the determination for national defense autonomy, has undergone multiple pier-side tests and dynamic navigation acceptance trials since its naming and launch ceremony last September. Each voyage has captured the attention of military observers both domestically and internationally. As various testing operations enter the final sprint phase, defense industry experts generally expect that if subsequent dynamic maritime subjects are executed steadily according to standard procedures with safety as the supreme guiding principle, the *Narwhal* is highly likely to be officially delivered to the Navy this October, completing the most vital piece of the puzzle for Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities.

Looking back at the genesis of the *Narwhal*, this defense project—once viewed by outsiders as an "impossible mission"—officially began following President Tsai Ing-wen's strong promotion of the indigenous submarine-building policy after taking office in 2016. In the past, the Taiwanese Navy relied solely on two obsolete, World War II-era vintage *Sea Lion* and *Sea Leopard* submarines, alongside two long-serving Dutch-built *Swordfish*-class submarines, the *Sea Dragon* and the *Sea Tiger*. The underwater combat capability has long faced severe aging and numerical shortages. Facing the rapid expansion of surface and subsurface fleets by neighboring countries, acquiring a new generation of conventionally powered attack submarines has been the dream of the Taiwanese Navy for decades. With the cooperation of the Navy, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, and domestic and international technical consultants, CSBC Corporation overcame heavy obstacles such as international diplomatic suppression and difficulties in procuring components, finally holding a smooth naming and launch ceremony last September, symbolizing Taiwan's capability to build modern submarines.

The testing process for submarines is extremely complex and rigorous, encompassing two major phases: pier-side tests and sea tests. Pier-side testing primarily focuses on static and standalone acceptance of the vessel's various systems, including basic functions such as power systems, drainage systems, combat systems, sonar detection, and weapon launch tubes. Sea testing, meanwhile, pushes the submarine into real-world environments to inspect its propulsion systems, navigational performance, maneuvering sensitivity, underwater communications, and stability while submerged and surfaced. Because submarines operate in extremely harsh underwater environments, even the slightest oversight could lead to irreversible tragedy. Therefore, CSBC and the Navy have consistently adhered to the principle of safety first and steady progress during sea trials, avoiding haste and instead gathering data and fine-tuning parameters through successive voyages to ensure every navigational subject meets the highest safety standards.

Regarding the delivery schedule of greatest concern to the outside world, defense and military experts analyzed that judging from the *Narwhal*'s current frequent voyages, the integration and testing work of various core systems has indeed entered the final concluding phase. If subsequent sea trials can successfully pass various limit and comprehensive performance tests, the objective conditions for delivery around October are indeed in place. However, experts also specifically reminded that delivery does not equate to immediate combat readiness. For the Navy, delivery in October is instead the beginning of another phase. Next, naval officers and sailors must conduct intensive operational training, tactical acceptance, weapon test firings, and joint combat exercises with existing surface ships for this new domestically built submarine. Only after a long period of integration and proficient operation by the crew can the *Narwhal* truly form substantial combat readiness.

The success of the construction and testing of the *Narwhal* is not only crucial to the substantive progress of Taiwan's defense autonomy, but also holds major strategic significance in international geopolitics. Against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the Indo-Pacific region, submarines possess powerful deterrent and battlefield concealment capabilities, making them one of the most effective assets in asymmetric warfare. The advancement of the *Narwhal* symbolizes Taiwan's capability to break through diplomatic and technological blockades and establish its own defense supply chain. In the future, as the *Narwhal* gradually moves toward delivery and commissioning, it will not only substantially enhance the Taiwanese Navy's underwater defense depth, but also demonstrate to the international community Taiwan's firm determination to defend itself, holding irreplaceable critical value for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

(Source of facts: Central News Agency)