TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Hai Kun submarine is expected to begin sea acceptance tests (SAT) in April, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Chiu Chun-Jung (邱俊榮) said on Monday (Nov. 25).

Chiu said the submarine completed approximately 83% to 85% of harbor acceptance tests (HAT). He noted that SAT is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2025, and last until Sept. 30, 2025, CNA reported. The submarine remains on track to be delivered to the Navy by November 2025.

The Cabinet approved NT$284 billion (US$8.89 billion) for seven submarines from 2025 to 2038. The budget enables the construction of facilities such as training centers, military housing, and weapons systems. 

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said the budget will only be used after the SAT. “Not a single dollar will be spent until the tests are passed,” Koo said.

Setting a budget in advance ensures funds are available immediately after the SAT is completed in 2025, the defense minister said. If no budget is allocated now, any funds would only become available in 2026, causing a delay in the submarine project.

The first domestically-built sub will be armed with American Mk 48 Mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes. Production will follow a 2+3+2 model, with the first two subs to be the same variant as the prototype and the latter three as upgrade variants.