Taiwan's Hai Kun submarine to be delivered this year; squadron includes 'reserve team'

Taiwan's Navy 256 Submarine Squadron is set to receive the new Hai Kun submarine in the latter half of this year, with the vessel currently undergoing final adjustments at the CSBC shipyard.

Military sources revealed that the 256 squadron, commanded by a major general, currently comprises four submarines: the Hai Lung, Hai Hu, Hai Shih, and Hai Pao. Each submarine requires approximately 60 personnel, bringing the frontline submarine force to about 240 individuals. The squadron also maintains a permanent staff and a reserve team of 40 to 60 personnel who can be deployed to cover patrol and readiness missions as needed. This reserve unit has a complete command structure, including a captain and deputy captain, and its members receive submarine allowances.

To facilitate the Hai Kun's integration, personnel have been drawn from existing submarines and the reserve team to form a dedicated "Hai Kun commissioning team." This team will oversee the submarine's testing, delivery, and operational assessment before its official commissioning into the navy.

With the Hai Kun's delivery expected soon, the first batch of domestically produced follow-on submarines will enter mass production. Within two and a half to three years, the 256 squadron will form another commissioning team, drawing personnel from active submarines, newly commissioned vessels, and the reserve pool. This indicates that the squadron's structure will undergo dynamic adjustments over the next decade.

Meanwhile, the aging Midget-class submarines, the Hai Shih and Hai Pao, are nearing the end of their service life. Built between 1944 and 1945 and transferred to Taiwan in 1973, these submarines, over 80 years old, currently serve training and anti-submarine warfare roles, holding the record for the world's oldest active submarines. They are scheduled to be decommissioned after the Hai Kun becomes operational, with their personnel returning to the 256 squadron.