Taiwan launches new missile corvette, receives new rapid minelayer

 

The new missile corvette, which was named as Ta Chiang (619). Photo c/o Taipei Times.



The Republic of China Navy (ROCN, Taiwanese Navy) reached a major milestone on 15 December 2020, as the launching ceremony for its latest Tuo Chiang-class missile corvette was held, while also receiving delivery of a new rapid minelaying vessel.

Both projects are important developments in the country’s indigenous shipbuilding program, while also improving the capabilities of the ROCN.

The new corvette, named Ta Chiang (619) was launched during ceremonies held at Lung Teh Shipbuilding’s facility in Suao, Yilan County, with Taiwanese President Tsi Ing-wen present and satisfied by the country’s self-sufficiency programs.

The ship is said to be an improvement over the original Tuo Chiang-class design, dubbed “aircraft carrier killers”, and will be armed with the Hsiung Feng II subsonic and Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missiles, Sky Sword II air defense missiles, a 76mm gun, a Phalanx CIWS, and two triple torpedo tubes.

It features a wave-piercing catamaran hull design, with waterjet propulsion, and a low radar cross section design. It has a displacement of 685 tons, a maximum speed of 30 knots, and an operational range of 1,800 nautical miles.

The ROCN also received a the first ship of the new Min Jiang-class minelaying vessel, which is a new class of small minelayers designed to operate in coastal areas like the Taiwan Strait.

The Min Jiang-class rapid minelayer are 41 meters long and 8.8 meters wide, displaces at 347 tons and has a maximum speed of 14 knots,. The boat is also equipped with 20mm and 12.7mm guns and utilizes an indigenous minelaying system capable of laying up to 100 mines.

The ROCN is expecting 3 more Min Jiang-class minelayers, which are all in different stages of construction.



[1]
Jane’s
[2] Focus Taiwan
[3] Taipei Times


Taiwan launches new missile corvette, receives new rapid minelayer Taiwan launches new missile corvette, receives new rapid minelayer Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on December 16, 2020 Rating: 5

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