Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Taiwan Completes First Undersea Trial for Indigenous Submarine
Taiwan has finished its first underwater test for a submarine it built itself.
This is a big deal because Taiwan is a small island that needs to protect itself from bigger countries, especially China.
The submarine, named the Narwhal, was tested near a port called Kaohsiung.
Taiwan is planning to build more submarines like this one to help keep its waters safe.
The submarine has special equipment from the United States and will be used to help Taiwan's navy.
This is part of a bigger plan to make Taiwan's military stronger and more modern.
Taiwan completed the first underwater sea trial for its domestically developed submarine, the Narwhal, on January 30, 2024.
The test was conducted off the southern Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung and involved a shallow-water submerged navigation test.
The submarine is equipped with a combat system by Lockheed Martin Corp and carries U.S.-made Mark 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
Taiwan plans to deploy at least two such submarines by 2027, with the first submarine costing T$49.36 billion ($1.58 billion).
The indigenous submarine programme is part of Taiwan's efforts to modernise its armed forces and strengthen deterrence against the Chinese navy.
- Who
- Taiwan's CSBC Corp and the Taiwanese government
- What
- Completed the first underwater sea trial for its first domestically developed submarine, the Narwhal
- When
- Thursday, January 30, 2024
- Where
- Off the southern Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung
- Why
- To strengthen deterrence against the Chinese navy and protect vital sea lanes in the event of war
- Submarine Name
- Narwhal
- Manufacturer
- CSBC Corp
- Test Location
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Test Type
- Shallow-water submerged navigation test
- Projected Deployment
- At least two submarines by 2027
- Submarine Cost
- T$49.36 billion ($1.58 billion)
- Combat System
- Lockheed Martin Corp
- Torpedoes
- U.S.-made Mark 48 heavyweight torpedoes
