Taiwan to commission first improved Tuo Chiang-class corvette in August

The first improved variant of the Tuo Chiang (also spelled Tuo Jiang ) class of fast missile corvettes is set to be handed over to the Republic of China Navy (RoCN) later this month, according to Taiwanese media.

Named Ta Chiang (pennant number 619), the vessel, which was launched on 15 December 2020 in a ceremony held at the company's facility in Suao, southern Yilan County, is then set to be formally commissioned in August, the state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) reported on 30 June.

Taipei aims to build a total of six of these improved ships by 2023, with up to five additional ones expected to be built thereafter.

Developed under the Hsun Hai programme, the Tuo Jiang-class vessels are designed to provide the RoCN with a high-end, asymmetric means to defeat amphibious landing and capital ships.

As Janes reported, the corvettes, which feature a wave-piercing catamaran hull form, waterjet propulsion, and a low radar cross-section (RCS) design, are meant to assume responsibility for the lower intensity maritime security missions currently undertaken by the service's larger and more-expensive destroyers and frigates in peacetime, while providing an affordable but effective asymmetrical counter against an adversary's larger warships.

Ta Chiang is the first series-produced vessel of the class and features several enhancements over first-of-class Tuo Chiang – which was commissioned in late 2014 – in terms of weaponry, mission systems, and design.