TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The sea acceptance tests for Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine are running behind schedule, raising concerns about its planned November commissioning, reports said Tuesday.

After completing harbor acceptance tests in Kaohsiung Port, the Narwhal set out to sea for the first time in June, almost two months later than initially planned. The Navy had aimed to finish sea acceptance tests in September, with commissioning in November.

However, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Tuesday that completing preparations before the November deadline might be a challenge, Liberty Times reported. He said the priority is to speed up work for the next test phase while guaranteeing safety.

If the submarine is not finished on time according to the contract, the Navy could demand compensation from shipbuilder CSBC Corporation, Taiwan. Koo told reporters the military would act according to the contract.

A sum of NT$1 billion (US$32.82 million) for this year’s submarine project has been frozen by opposition legislators and can only be released once the sea acceptance tests are completed. The Navy planned to order seven more submarines from CSBC in Kaohsiung at a total cost of NT$284 billion.