Taiwan commissions second fast minelaying vessel

The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has commissioned its second fast minelaying vessel.

The ship was commissioned in a ceremony attended by President Tsai Ing-wen on 14 January. The vessel has been designated ‘Fast Mine Laying Boat-2' with pennant marking FMLB-2.

The RoCN commissioned its first fast minelayer, FMLB-1, in December 2020 and received FMLB-2 in September 2021. The vessel displaces 347 tonnes at full load with an overall length of 41 m and an overall beam of 8.8 m. It is powered by two diesel engines and can attain a top speed of 14 kt.

The Lung Teh Shipbuilding-constructed vessel is armed with a T-75 20 mm gun in the primary position and two T-74 7.62 mm machine guns for point defence. It can deploy a total of 32 naval mines via four automatic rails.

The RoCN is anticipating the delivery of two more fast minelayers from Lung Teh. Work on these vessels began in April 2020.