[Source/Observer Network, Wang Shiping] According to Taiwan media reports on June 17, the first self-made submarine of Taiwan, HAIKUN (SS-711), departed from Qijin, Kaohsiung at around 8:00 am and officially began its first sea trial (SAT). The Taiwan media reported that this is a new milestone for this submarine, as it is the first time that the HAIKUN has left Kaohsiung Port to enter open waters. It is expected to return at 3:00 pm.

The Taiwan media reported that under the maritime control of relevant units, the HAIKUN departed from Qijin and left Kaohsiung Port at around 8:00 am today. It is expected to return at 3:00 pm. It is understood that this sea trial will conduct various system tests, including propulsion systems, as well as navigation instrument inspections through surface sailing. This is to verify the actual operational performance of the submarine in a marine environment.

Notably, despite the first sea trial, the company responsible for building the HAIKUN, Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation, remained tight-lipped about it and was unwilling to comment further, only stating that the Navy should explain. However, the Taiwanese Navy also made no further comments.

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The HAIKUN submarine has gone to sea, social media

During this time, multiple Taiwan Navy and port unit vessels were on guard nearby throughout the process. The scene was kept highly confidential, with only partial long-distance observation allowed, drawing attention from domestic military enthusiasts.

Previously on June 14, the HAIKUN began floating tests within Kaohsiung Port to validate the stability of the propulsion system and related equipment. After about three hours, it safely returned to port, indicating that the harbor test (HAT) was nearing completion. At that time, external observers judged that the HAIKUN had entered the final stage of harbor testing, just one step away from the sea trial phase.

This is the first sea trial of the HAIKUN after a two-month delay. Originally scheduled for April this year, the sea trial of the HAIKUN has been repeatedly delayed, causing external doubts. According to the plan of the Taiwan Navy, the sea trials of the HAIKUN are scheduled to take place between April 1 and September 30. However, it was finally launched more than two months later than planned.

Notably, the company responsible for building the HAIKUN, Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation, remained tight-lipped and was unwilling to comment further, only stating that the Navy should explain. However, the Taiwan Navy also made no further comments.

Taiwan Navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung recently explained that the sea trial period is from April to September without a specific date, emphasizing that everything is proceeding according to plan. Ku Li-hung emphasized at the end of May that the sea trial can only begin under safe conditions, which is the highest principle, and no compromise will be made on any items. In response to external concerns, the Taiwan military previously stated that the target for the HAIKUN to be delivered in November remains unchanged.

The "HAIKUN" submarine is the first conventional submarine built by Taiwan itself. It is regarded by the Taiwan authorities as a so-called "deterrent weapon" for "self-reliant defense." Last year, there were rumors across the island that the submarine project was progressing smoothly and could start sea trials as early as September of the same year. However, it was later reported by Taiwan media that more than 70 items of the harbor test had not passed and needed to be corrected and retested. "Only after all these are passed can it go to sea, possibly delayed until April 2025."

Regarding the reasons for the delay in the submarine project, Taiwan media previously reported that many parts of the "HAIKUN" were damaged due to shore power connections, forcing the sea trial to be postponed.

Regarding the Taiwan military's promotion of self-made submarines, spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office previously responded to related questions regarding the self-made submarine project, saying that wasting the blood and sweat money of the people of Taiwan on such useless things will not make Taiwan safer but will only make the people of Taiwan increasingly uneasy. We warn the Democratic Progressive Party authorities that splitting and confrontation have no way out, and the idea of seeking independence through military means is even more unrealistic.

This article is an exclusive article of the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516822312184824371/

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