Taiwan takes delivery of locally built amphibious assault ship

Taiwanese navy personnel walk by the landing platform dock Yu Shan during its handover ceremony in Kaohsiung on 30 September 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has taken delivery of its first locally built amphibious assault ship.

The vessel, Yu Shan , was handed over by Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corporation on 30 April in a ceremony attended by the country's president, Tsai Ing-wen.

CSBC Corporation received a TWD4.635 billion (USD145.93 million) contract to build the vessel in April 2018. Its keel was laid down in June 2020 and the vessel was launched in April 2021.

With an overall length of 153 m, an overall beam of 23 m, and a hull draught of 6 m, Yu Shan's main form factor shares similar characteristics with the US Navy's San Antonio class.

The vessel is powered by four diesel engines in a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration, and it can attain a maximum speed of 21.5 kt with a maximum range of 12,500 n miles at the economical cruising speed of 13 kt. It is also equipped with a bow thruster for greater manoeuvrability in ports and shallow waters.

Yu Shan is armed with a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position. Short-range defence against hostile aircraft and precision-guided munitions is provided by two Raytheon Mk 15 Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets, and one of each is located in the fore and aft sections. For point defence, the ship is armed with 12.7 mm machine guns.

The vessel's missile launchers are located amidships, and a CSBC representative told Janes