Taiwan has commissioned the Dan Chiang, the latest Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvette, as the island continues expanding its domestically built naval fleet, Taipei Times reported.
The commissioning ceremony took place at the Zuoying naval base in the southern city of Kaohsiung, where the new vessel formally entered service alongside its sister ships, Tuo Chiang and Ta Chiang.
All 12 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Tuo Chiang Class
The Tuo Chiang class is a fast attack corvette designed to strengthen Taiwan’s coastal defense.
Its catamaran hull and low-observable design are intended to reduce radar detection while providing high speed and stability.
The vessels are equipped for anti-ship and air defense missions and can carry Taiwan’s indigenous Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missiles, as well as other guided weapons.
Some variants can also employ extended-range strike missiles with a reported range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles).
Boosting Sea Capabilities
The commissioning comes as Taiwan continues to expand its navy.
According to the Taipei Times, the navy plans to build 10 additional frigates under its next-generation light frigate program between 2028 and 2040, following the completion of two prototype vessels.
Taipei’s future fleet will consist of five air defense frigates and five anti-submarine warfare frigates, with an estimated total cost of 250 billion New Taiwan dollars ($7.7 billion).
The plan is part of a broader naval modernization effort.
In June, the Asian nation said it intends to produce more than 1,200 Hai Chien II (Sea Sword II) missiles to equip its surface fleet.
The missile recently completed a live-fire test against a simulated drone target off the island’s southern coast.
