A 1,000-ton patrol vessel built by domestic shipbuilder CSBC Corp. was officially handed over to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) at a ceremony in Keelung Wednesday.
Christened the “Changhua,” the newly built 1,000-ton vessel was delivered at CSBC’s shipyard in Keelung, CSBC said in a statement.
The frigate has a full-load displacement of 2,167 tons, a hull length of 98.5 meters, a width of 13.2 meters, a depth of 7.6 meters and can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots, according to CSBC.
The vessel is longer, larger in size, and can better handle big waves compared to earlier 1,000-ton frigates. It also has the ability to conduct nighttime search and rescue missions and is able to provide helicopters with emergency take-off and landing.
The frigate is also equipped with a new satellite broadband network system, which improves communication between ships and land-based instant data exchange.
CSBC said the vessel is equipped with the Zhenhai weapons system developed by the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology to replace the Bofors 40mm L70 guns.
The 42-barrel Zhenhai rocket system, which uses 2.75/70mm rockets and is mounted on the bow of the ship, has a range of about 10 kilometers.
CSBC pointed out that the newly built 1,000-ton frigate is also equipped with four high-pressure water cannons with a horizontal range of 120 meters, enabling coast guard agents to perform duties such as interdicting smugglers in harsh waters during the seasonal monsoon season.
In addition, the vessel is equipped with two security rescue boats with a maximum speed of 35 knots on the port and starboard sides, which can be used to conduct rescue and anti-smuggling tasks, effectively improving law enforcement and rescue missions in Taiwan’s waters, according to CSBC.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel