Taiwan's Future Naval Assets Absent from Dockside Reunion Amid Submarine Adjustments

Taiwan's future naval capabilities were notably absent from a rare joint appearance at the CSBC dock in Kaohsiung, with the Hai Kun submarine reportedly undergoing further adjustments.

The Hai Kun submarine, which completed its sea trials on July 30, has been docked for approximately a month due to persistent heavy rainfall in Kaohsiung. Ship enthusiasts observed that only the Kang Ting-class frigate (hull number 1202) was present at Pier 90, while the Hai Kun submarine (hull number 711) was not in its usual spot at Pier 91.

This absence prevented a repeat of a significant sighting in early August, when the upgraded Kang Ting-class frigate, equipped with a new vertical launch system, was photographed alongside the Hai Kun submarine. This rare alignment of two crucial future naval assets had generated considerable interest.

Reports suggest the Hai Kun submarine may have returned to the dry dock for further tuning and adjustments. The submarine had previously been out of the water for modifications, including the installation of the Huayang vertical launch system on the Kang Ting-class frigate. Its departure from the dock on July 27, 29, and 30 followed a period of over 1.5 months since its initial departure on June 4.

Despite initial expectations for more intensive sea trials in August, including overnight navigation tests, weather conditions have delayed these crucial stages. The area where the Hai Kun submarine was docked was observed to be empty, with only tugboats and temporary structures nearby, indicating ongoing work.