The construction of Taiwan’s second Tuo Chiang-class corvette began in Yilan County Wednesday, with the navy aiming to have six of the vessels by the end of 2023, said Navy Commander Admiral Liu Chih-pin (???).

At a ceremony held at the shipbuilder, Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co., Liu praised the company’s joint efforts with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and the Navy to build and deliver the Ta Chiang, the first Tuo Chiang-class corvette, in 27 months ahead of schedule, the Military News Agency reported.

The Ta Chiang, the first vessel to come out of the mass production stage of the locally developed stealth multi-mission corvette program, has passed the Navy’s initial evaluation after it was delivered in July and commissioned in September, with several tests showing better-than-expected results compared to the design, Liu said in the report.

Liu said he hoped that the cooperation between the Navy, the builder, and the institute could be maintained in order to achieve the target of having six Tuo Chiang-class vessels by the end of 2023.

The Navy currently operates two vessels built under the Tuo Chiang program, including a prototype of the same name that entered service in 2015, and the Ta Chiang, which has an improved design, according to the report.

The Tuo Chiang-class stealth vessel features high maneuverability and rapid strike capabilities and is equipped with modern weaponry such as the Sea Sword II air-defense missile, according to the Navy.

The improved design of the Ta Chiang has given it a maximum speed of 40 knots and a displacement of 685 tonnes, according to the Navy.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel