TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Narwhal submarine is facing delays with its sea acceptance trials, its manufacturer CSBC Corporation said on Wednesday.
During a press conference, CSBC General Manager Tsai Kun-tsung (蔡坤宗) said, “It is now impossible to finish sea trials in September,” CNA reported. The process must continue in line with contract requirements only after safety standards are met, Tsai added.
CSBC Chair Chen Cheng-hung (陳政宏) said the corporation would “try to catch up,” but must first check functionality and safety requirements before conducting shallow-water and underwater navigation trials. The last step would be deep-sea tests and torpedo firing evaluations, Chen said.
Chen acknowledged that technological development is a trial-and-error process. Mistakes may happen, but CSBC will continue to improve, he said.
Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said on Tuesday that corrections to systems and equipment have been completed, as well as watertight tests and inspections below the waterline.
