TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine the Narwhal prepares to start sea acceptance tests before the end of April, a contract for the next two submarines is likely to be signed this year, reports said Friday.

CSBC Corporation, Taiwan made the necessary adjustments during this phase of harbor acceptance tests, the Liberty Times reported. A key item on the agenda for the sea acceptance tests is torpedo firing in October.

If all the tests turn positive, the Narwhal will be handed over to the Navy in November. The Navy and CSBC would sign a contract for two more submarines.

Both construction and contracts will follow a 2+3+2 formula, with November’s planned signing to be followed by a contract for three more submarines. A final contract would follow for the two last ones.