TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has modified its plan for submarine mass production to reduce costs.

Between 2025-2038, the military plans to build seven submarines in three phases, CNA reported. The first phase will produce two subs, while the latter two stages will see three and two subs completed, respectively.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) approved the NT$284 billion (US$9 billion) plan in August.

Taiwan’s first domestically-built prototype submarine the Narwhal is undergoing harbor acceptance tests and will later go through sea trials. The submarine, launched in September 2023, is expected to be delivered in November 2025. 

Amid reports of over 70 equipment failures, former Navy advisor Kuo Hsi-chiang (郭璽強) alleged there were "troublemakers" within Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation (TSC) sabotaging the submarine project, Liberty Times reported. He said TSC Chair Huang Cheng-hung (黃正弘) should reorganize personnel in the submarine project.

Kuo also called on President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to reinstate Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光) as head of the submarine task force, warning that without strong leadership, the Narwhal may not be ready for sea trials next June.