Taiwan completes maiden underwater sea trial of first domestically developed submarine Narwhal

Exam-focused facts from the 31 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Taiwan completed the maiden underwater sea trial for its first domestically developed submarine Narwhal on Thursday off Kaohsiung port.
CSBC Corp, leading the programme to build eight submarines, announced the shallow-water submerged navigation test completion.
The submarine programme has drawn expertise and technology from several countries, including the United States and Britain.
The first submarine, costing T$49.36 billion ($1.58 billion), will use a Lockheed Martin Corp combat system and U.S.-made Mark 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
Taiwan aims to deploy at least two domestically developed submarines by 2027 and may equip later models with missiles.