How difficult was the last mile of handover of the submarine Haikun? Military experts analyze this

The submarine Haikun continues sea testing, and its delivery date is highly anticipated and discussed.

[Reporter Hong Dinghong/Reported by Kaohsiung] The submarine Haikun was originally expected to be delivered in November last year, but it has been delayed so far and even the final stage of overnight sea endurance test has not been carried out. How difficult is the last mile of the ship's delivery? Ji Dongyun, chairman of the Taiwan Safety Development Association, analyzed that only the last few subjects are left because "safety" is the highest principle and must be constantly adjusted and tested, resulting in the verification or acceptance process being "more cautious."

Looking back at the recent progress of sea testing, Haikun returned to Hong Kong after completing sea testing on July 30, went into dock for adjustment around the end of August, and undocking in mid-September. It was more than 1.5 months apart that it left port for testing on September 21, and then sea testing again on September 23 and October 2. However, they both went back and forth on the same day, and the final stage of overnight sea endurance testing and deeper submersible testing have not yet started.

Ji Dongyun emphasized that Haikun is Taiwan's first self-made submarine. Compared with South Korea and Spain, the overall progress so far is not bad. However, because it involves equipment from many countries, even if it is verified by foreign technical associations, if there are doubts about subsequent integration, time must be spent on adjustment and retesting.

As for the definition of the overnight endurance test, it means 24 hours of submersible before surfacing? Or just a few hours? How deep must one dive to qualify? Ji Dongyun pointed out that these basic information will not be published even by foreign countries, let alone the Haikun.

Therefore, Ji Dongyun reminded that although the Haikun completed the mine control and launch test in May this year, it has met the minimum threshold for ship delivery. However, under the highest principle of "safety" required by the Ministry of National Defense, there are only a few remaining subjects that must be continuously adjusted and tested, resulting in "more cautious" verification or acceptance processes.