CSBC: Hai Kun Submarine Expected for Delivery in H2, Confident in Building Follow-on Ships
In response to KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun's proposal to freeze the budget for follow-on indigenous submarines, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan (CSBC) stated on the 20th that the prototype submarine Hai Kun has entered the latter half of its sea trials and is expected for delivery in the second half of this year, expressing confidence in constructing subsequent vessels. CSBC warned that if the plan and budget become unstable, it would lead to a loss of cultivated talent and suppliers, both domestic and foreign, significantly increasing the cost and time to restart the program, and urged the opposition not to disrupt this critical defense project.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 22:49
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 23:02 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 23:16 (14 min after Collected)
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Ma Wen-chun has proposed to freeze the entire budget for the follow-on ships of the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program. In response, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan (CSBC) stated today that the prototype submarine, Hai Kun, has entered the latter half of its sea acceptance trials (SAT) and is expected to be delivered in the second half of this year. CSBC is confident about building the follow-on ships and warned that instability in the plan and budget could lead to a loss of talent and equipment suppliers, increasing the time and cost to restart the program.
The Legislative Yuan passed the Special Act on National Defense on the 8th, with the budget ceiling capped at only NT$780 billion, and budgets related to unmanned aerial vehicles were significantly cut. KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun proposed to freeze the entire NT$11.95 billion allocated by the Navy Command Headquarters in this year's general budget for the third phase of follow-on ship construction. Additionally, she proposed to cut approximately NT$500 million from the Armaments Bureau's program for advanced integrated development of unmanned vehicle technology.
CSBC issued a press release in the evening, stating that submarines, with their stealth, powerful torpedoes, and underwater resistance to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threats, play the role of a deadly ambusher. In anti-blockade and anti-landing scenarios, they can be used to tie down and obstruct an entire enemy fleet. They can also effectively deter and prevent Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups from entering eastern waters, neutralizing the threat of an enemy encirclement. Unmanned vehicles, on the other hand, use their low-cost, stealthy, and numerous characteristics to conduct saturation attacks on invading enemy ships and deplete their ammunition.
CSBC pointed out that both are used to deter invading enemy ships with a highly asymmetric resource ratio. A submarine can deny an entire fleet, while multiple unmanned vehicles can attack a single ship. Although their application scenarios and timing differ, they are both indispensable and equally important pieces of equipment for strengthening existing combat capabilities, and CSBC has the ability to research, develop, and produce both.
CSBC emphasized that the first IDS submarine, the "Hai Kun," has entered the latter half of its sea trials and is expected for delivery in the second half of this year. Furthermore, the successful test firing of a training torpedo earlier in May has already proven that the Hai Kun is a usable and combat-ready vessel. Subsequent tests and modifications will confirm its performance levels and stability. Therefore, CSBC is very confident about constructing the follow-on ships.
However, CSBC mentioned that if the follow-on ship plan and budget are unstable, it could cause partner manufacturers, foreign "red zone" equipment suppliers, and the rare and outstanding domestic talent that has been cultivated to lose confidence and be unwilling to reinvest. If the program were to be restarted, the time and costs could multiply, and the lessons from the Air Force's IDF Ching-kuo fighter jet development should not be repeated.
CSBC noted that the enemy threat is growing stronger and more diverse. The people of Taiwan recognize the need to actively strengthen national defense and security forces, thus requiring the allocation of a special defense budget to fulfill the responsibility and goal of self-defense. Especially in recent years, with Taiwan's strong overall economy and tax revenues, a special defense budget would not affect or crowd out other public welfare expenditures.
CSBC said that only with complete defense and national security capabilities can the maritime lifelines and free environment we depend on for survival be ensured, and only then can the autonomous development environment and energy security required by various industries be guaranteed. Since its establishment, CSBC and its employees have always been proud to carry out national missions. At this critical moment, CSBC is ready for resilient defense and urges the opposition parties not to cut off the funding.
The Legislative Yuan passed the Special Act on National Defense on the 8th, with the budget ceiling capped at only NT$780 billion, and budgets related to unmanned aerial vehicles were significantly cut. KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun proposed to freeze the entire NT$11.95 billion allocated by the Navy Command Headquarters in this year's general budget for the third phase of follow-on ship construction. Additionally, she proposed to cut approximately NT$500 million from the Armaments Bureau's program for advanced integrated development of unmanned vehicle technology.
CSBC issued a press release in the evening, stating that submarines, with their stealth, powerful torpedoes, and underwater resistance to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threats, play the role of a deadly ambusher. In anti-blockade and anti-landing scenarios, they can be used to tie down and obstruct an entire enemy fleet. They can also effectively deter and prevent Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups from entering eastern waters, neutralizing the threat of an enemy encirclement. Unmanned vehicles, on the other hand, use their low-cost, stealthy, and numerous characteristics to conduct saturation attacks on invading enemy ships and deplete their ammunition.
CSBC pointed out that both are used to deter invading enemy ships with a highly asymmetric resource ratio. A submarine can deny an entire fleet, while multiple unmanned vehicles can attack a single ship. Although their application scenarios and timing differ, they are both indispensable and equally important pieces of equipment for strengthening existing combat capabilities, and CSBC has the ability to research, develop, and produce both.
CSBC emphasized that the first IDS submarine, the "Hai Kun," has entered the latter half of its sea trials and is expected for delivery in the second half of this year. Furthermore, the successful test firing of a training torpedo earlier in May has already proven that the Hai Kun is a usable and combat-ready vessel. Subsequent tests and modifications will confirm its performance levels and stability. Therefore, CSBC is very confident about constructing the follow-on ships.
However, CSBC mentioned that if the follow-on ship plan and budget are unstable, it could cause partner manufacturers, foreign "red zone" equipment suppliers, and the rare and outstanding domestic talent that has been cultivated to lose confidence and be unwilling to reinvest. If the program were to be restarted, the time and costs could multiply, and the lessons from the Air Force's IDF Ching-kuo fighter jet development should not be repeated.
CSBC noted that the enemy threat is growing stronger and more diverse. The people of Taiwan recognize the need to actively strengthen national defense and security forces, thus requiring the allocation of a special defense budget to fulfill the responsibility and goal of self-defense. Especially in recent years, with Taiwan's strong overall economy and tax revenues, a special defense budget would not affect or crowd out other public welfare expenditures.
CSBC said that only with complete defense and national security capabilities can the maritime lifelines and free environment we depend on for survival be ensured, and only then can the autonomous development environment and energy security required by various industries be guaranteed. Since its establishment, CSBC and its employees have always been proud to carry out national missions. At this critical moment, CSBC is ready for resilient defense and urges the opposition parties not to cut off the funding.