Hai Kun Submarine's 8th Dive: Experts Say It's Entering Critical Testing Phase
Taiwan's indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun, conducted its 8th dive test, with military experts speculating that torpedo firing tests were the main objective, marking its entry into the most critical testing phase. The current situation appears smooth, and future delivery is anticipated.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 17:54
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 18:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 18:55 (53 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, 6th) The indigenous submarine prototype, Hai Kun, conducted its 8th dive test today. Military experts speculate that it was mainly for torpedo firing tests, which is the most critical testing phase for the Hai Kun submarine. The current situation appears smooth, and future delivery can be expected. A continuous overnight test might also be conducted today.
The Hai Kun submarine sailed out of Kaohsiung Port for sea trials on the 5th and again this morning. Military expert Chi Tung-yun told a Central News Agency reporter that today's outing was the 8th dive test. Previous tests focused on functional verification, akin to segmented practice. Today's appears to be a comprehensive exercise, including surface navigation, diving, and torpedo firing, which is closer to actual combat scenarios.
He also pointed out that a continuous overnight test might be conducted today, including endurance tests, such as power consumption and equipment operation after the submarine is fully charged, and tests of three-shift personnel operation in actual combat.
Chi Tung-yun said that the main verification items for these two days should be torpedo firing tests. Important related testing equipment was borrowed from the U.S. Navy and should be returned to the U.S. military after May. Therefore, the torpedo firing item should be the "most important of the important" tests in these few trials.
Chi Tung-yun explained that the difference between a submarine and a general tourist submarine is its ability to perform combat missions underwater, and the most important weapon equipment is the torpedo. Therefore, to verify that the submarine can detect a target with sonar, engage, launch a torpedo, and sink the target, the most important verification item is torpedo firing.
He also stated that the next tests might be extended from two days to three days, with increased depth and complexity of subjects. For example, torpedo firing tests must be verified separately in surface and submerged states. It can be said that this is the most critical moment for the Hai Kun submarine's testing. The current situation appears smooth, as it has sailed out for tests according to the scheduled time for these two days, and future delivery can be expected. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, 6th) The indigenous submarine prototype, Hai Kun, conducted its 8th dive test today. Military experts speculate that it was mainly for torpedo firing tests, which is the most critical testing phase for the Hai Kun submarine. The current situation appears smooth, and future delivery can be expected. A continuous overnight test might also be conducted today.
The Hai Kun submarine sailed out of Kaohsiung Port for sea trials on the 5th and again this morning. Military expert Chi Tung-yun told a Central News Agency reporter that today's outing was the 8th dive test. Previous tests focused on functional verification, akin to segmented practice. Today's appears to be a comprehensive exercise, including surface navigation, diving, and torpedo firing, which is closer to actual combat scenarios.
He also pointed out that a continuous overnight test might be conducted today, including endurance tests, such as power consumption and equipment operation after the submarine is fully charged, and tests of three-shift personnel operation in actual combat.
Chi Tung-yun said that the main verification items for these two days should be torpedo firing tests. Important related testing equipment was borrowed from the U.S. Navy and should be returned to the U.S. military after May. Therefore, the torpedo firing item should be the "most important of the important" tests in these few trials.
Chi Tung-yun explained that the difference between a submarine and a general tourist submarine is its ability to perform combat missions underwater, and the most important weapon equipment is the torpedo. Therefore, to verify that the submarine can detect a target with sonar, engage, launch a torpedo, and sink the target, the most important verification item is torpedo firing.
He also stated that the next tests might be extended from two days to three days, with increased depth and complexity of subjects. For example, torpedo firing tests must be verified separately in surface and submerged states. It can be said that this is the most critical moment for the Hai Kun submarine's testing. The current situation appears smooth, as it has sailed out for tests according to the scheduled time for these two days, and future delivery can be expected. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.