In a significant move reflecting the evolving dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan has proudly launched its first domestically produced submarine. The diesel-electric attack submarine, christened the Hai Kun after a mythical sea creature in Chinese folklore, was launched at the shipyard of CSBC Shipyard in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Thursday, Sept. 28. The Hai Kun is anticipated to be a crucial asset in what will inevitably be asymmetric warfare, should tensions with mainland China escalate into an armed conflict.
Given the vast disparity in size and military might between Taiwan and mainland China, such a strategy is vital for Taiwan’s defense doctrine. The submarine’s introduction suggests a strengthening of Taiwan’s maritime deterrence capabilities against potential aggressions from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
However, local defense experts advise caution and patience. They have stressed that while the submarine’s launch is a commendable step forward for Taiwan’s naval aspirations, reaching operational readiness and combat efficacy is a process that requires time. The training of the crew, integrating the submarine into naval operations, and conducting extensive drills to simulate potential scenarios are among the many steps involved in this process.
Furthermore, while one submarine is a significant achievement, a robust naval defense would ideally see a fleet of such submarines to truly act as a deterrent. Developing such a fleet, especially under the looming shadow of the PLA’s growing maritime and aerial capabilities, presents a formidable challenge and will take time.
The launch ceremony was attended by the self-ruling island’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, and comes seven years after Taiwan first decided to build its own submarines to replace the four elderly submarines currently operated by the country’s Republic of China Navy, or ROCN, according to Defense News.
In recent years, the tension between Taiwan and mainland China has intensified. The submarine’s unveiling is a testament to Taiwan’s unwavering commitment to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its territorial integrity. However, the path ahead is filled with challenges, and building a formidable defense in the face of increasing threats from the PLA will be a task requiring dedication, time, and strategic acumen.
Nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) are capable of operating in shallow, confined waters-but the smaller, quieter, more maneuverable antisubmarine sub-surface killer submarines (SSKs) are better suited for operations in such waters. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, SSKs are better designed for narrow, shallow seas than fast attack submarines.
Operating against advanced nuclear submarines will undoubtedly be their greatest challenge, especially since China has nine nuclear attack subs and six nuclear-missile ones.
According to The Telegraph, “The presence of opposing SSKs will make it much harder for the Chinese to operate their ballistic missile submarines with impunity.
“When running on batteries, SSKs are hard to detect. With the Japanese involved in the design, it’s likely that this boat will have the latest lithium-ion batteries whose endurance can outmatch that of air-independent alternatives. Nevertheless, Taiwanese boats will still have to recharge eventually and to do this an SSK must come to periscope depth and put a snort mast above the surface so that it can run the diesels that then recharge the batteries. This increases the sub’s acoustic, radar, infra-red and visual signatures for the duration of the snort, which can be quite a long time. This is an SSK’s Achilles Heel and it’s a big one.”
As an intelligence-gathering machine, the SSKs stand out for their unparalleled value. Diesel submarines, due to their adeptness at operating in shallower waters compared to their nuclear counterparts, are exceedingly efficient at navigating into constrained areas and collecting crucial intelligence data. This unique capability also positions them as experts in procuring intelligence details from adversarial naval vessels. Whenever Chinese naval assets—whether they’re surface or subsurface—venture out, they’ll have to take extensive precautions to ensure they’re not being shadowed by these silent predators. Interestingly, the mere notion of the presence of these submarines serves its purpose, even if they aren’t physically present.
Presently, there’s no indication that this particular submarine is equipped with land strike or dedicated special forces deployment features. However, as designs evolve and strategies adapt, it’s plausible that subsequent models or upgrades might incorporate such capabilities.
Taiwan’s strategic needs center on influence and deterrence, and the Hai Kun fits that bill impeccably. It’s a harmonious marriage of contemporary advancements and tried-and-true technology, making it likely to be operational and reliable from its initial deployment.
The emergence of the Hai Kun not only showcases its impressive design but also signals the collaborative effort of multiple nations backing its creation. The U.S. was heavily involved in the submarine’s production, providing critical components like torpedoes, missiles, the combat system, periscope, and sonars. The design of the hull reflects a distinct Japanese touch, and it’s speculated that the propulsion system might also be of Japanese origin. However, the collective efforts of the UK, Australia, South Korea, India, Spain, and Canada were equally significant. This broad coalition of support undoubtedly sends a potent signal to China, underscoring the geopolitical implications of the Hai Kun.