[13] In April 2018, President Donald Trump approved the technology transfers that would enable Taiwan to build its own submarines,[14] and in the following years multiple design proposals from countries that reportedly includes India and Japan were considered.

[15][16][17][18] In May 2019, Taiwan revealed a scale model of its chosen design for an indigenous built diesel-electric attack submarine.

[19] A Japanese team consisting of retired engineers from Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries is believed to have provided technical support.

[8][21][22][23][24][25] The submarine features a hybrid double-single hull structure with a light outer hull, but replaces the cruciform control surfaces of the Zwaardvis class with the more prevalent X-form type rudders, resembling Japan's Sōryū-class and the Dutch Walrus-class SSKs.

[42] In November 2021 Reuters reported that Taiwan had recruited engineers and retired submariners from the US, UK, Australia, South Korea, India, Spain and Canada to work on the program and advise the navy.

[43] The UK government has granted licenses to companies to export some £167 million worth of submarine technology and parts to Taiwan, more than the prior six years of investment since 2017 combined.

The first boat will be named Hai Kun, after a mythological fish mentioned in the ancient Chinese text Zhuangzi, written during the Warring States period by Zhuang Zhou, which was described as being of an unfathomable size.

[46] After launch harbor acceptance trials will start on 1 October 2023 and preliminary evaluations are expected to be completed by 1 April 2024.

[48][49][50] In February 2024 it was reported that the Hai Kun is set to undergo a crucial phase of its harbor acceptance tests.