• Taiwan has commenced sea trials for its first domestically developed submarine, Narwhal.
• The submarine program aims to bolster military deterrents against potential Chinese aggression.
• This project is part of Taiwan's broader military modernization effort initiated in 2016.
• The submarine features U.S.-sourced combat systems and torpedoes.
• Concerns arise over budget freezes by opposition parties affecting the submarine program's future.

Taiwan has started sea trials for its first domestically made submarine, the Narwhal, as part of a strategic initiative to enhance its military capabilities in response to potential threats from China. The first test, conducted in Kaohsiung, marks a critical milestone in Taiwan's submarine program, which aims to create a fleet of eight vessels by 2027. This program is essential for the country to defend its sovereignty, as China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan and has threatened invasion, according to Reuters, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

The CSBC Corporation, responsible for constructing the Narwhal, reported successful completion of the first of three stages of sea trials, which included a floating navigation test. The submarine, measuring approximately 80 meters in length and weighing between 2,500 to 3,000 tons, integrates combat systems and torpedoes from Lockheed Martin, enhancing Taiwan's deterrence capabilities. The company indicated ongoing adjustments would be made based on the trial results, with plans to proceed to submerged navigation tests in the coming months, according to Reuters and India Times.

Despite these advancements, the submarine program faces political challenges. The main opposition parties, Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party, have frozen part of the program's budget until sea trial results are satisfactory. This move raises concerns about potential delays and broader implications for Taiwan's military modernization efforts, which aim to address the significant disparity in military power between Taiwan and China, according to Reuters, India Times, and Channel News Asia.