Taiwanese navy receives first improved Tuo Chiang-class corvette

The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has received its first improved Tuo Chiang (also spelled Tuo Jiang)-class fast missile corvette.

Named Ta Chiang (pennant number 619), the vessel was formally handed over in a ceremony held on 27 July at the facilities of Lungteh Shipbuilding in Suao, in north-eastern Taiwan's Yilan County, that was presided over by Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng.

The corvette, which was launched on 15 December 2020, is set to be commissioned in August.

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

Developed under the Hsun Hai programme, the Tuo Chiang-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.

Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) quoted the RoCN as saying that Ta Chiang