TAIPEI — March 17, 2026 : The Republic of China (ROC) Navy has taken delivery of ROCS Tan Chiang (PGG-627), the first vessel of the Batch 2 (Flight II) Tuo Chiang-class catamaran corvettes. The ship was handed over on March 11, 2026, during a low-profile ceremony at Lungteh Shipbuilding’s facility in Yilan. As of the delivery date, neither the Ministry of National Defense, the ROC Navy, nor the shipbuilder has issued an official statement regarding the transfer.
The Tuo Chiang-class is an indigenously developed fast attack corvette designed for high-speed, hit-and-run operations against larger naval targets. The platform forms a key part of Taiwan’s asymmetric naval strategy, focusing on survivability, mobility, and concentrated missile firepower in littoral environments.
Batch 2 vessels incorporate several upgrades over the original 600-ton prototype, including an increased displacement of approximately 685 tons. The ships measure around 65 meters in length with a beam of 14.8 meters and are powered by four MTU diesel engines driving four waterjets. This propulsion system enables speeds of 44 to 45 knots and an operational range of 1,800 to 2,000 nautical miles.
In terms of armament, the class is equipped with Hsiung Feng II subsonic and Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missiles, an OTO Melara 76 mm main gun, and a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for point defense. A key enhancement in the Batch 2 configuration is the integration of TC-2N (Sea Sword II) surface-to-air missiles, making these vessels the first small combatants in the ROC Navy to possess an organic air-defense capability.
The improved Tuo Chiang-class is divided into two sub-batches based on fire-control radar systems. The first sub-batch, consisting of six vessels—ROCS Ta Chiang (PGG-619), Fu Chiang (PGG-620), Hsu Chiang (PGG-621), Wu Chiang (PGG-623), An Chiang (PGG-625), and Wan Chiang (PGG-626)—is equipped with the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire-control radar. The second sub-batch, beginning with Tan Chiang, is fitted with the Leonardo NA-30S Mk2 fire-control radar. Construction of the five Batch 2 vessels began in 2024, with all scheduled for delivery between March and December 2026.
The overall Tuo Chiang-class program comprises 12 vessels, including the original prototype (PGG-618), six ships in the first improved batch, and five ships in the second sub-batch. Following the delivery of Tan Chiang, the remaining four Batch 2 vessels are expected to join the fleet خلال the remainder of 2026, bringing the total number of ships in service to 12 by the end of the year.
The ROC Navy and Coast Guard generally avoid assigning hull numbers ending in “4,” as the pronunciation of the number in Taiwanese Mandarin is similar to the word for “death,” although exceptions exist.
The Tuo Chiang-class design also serves as the basis for the Coast Guard’s Anping-class patrol vessels. In peacetime configuration, these ships are equipped with 2.75-inch rockets, a 20 mm gun, and a remote weapon station. In wartime, they can be fitted with a Phalanx CIWS, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and up to 16 Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles.
Since 2022, Anping-class vessels have conducted multiple live-fire tests of Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III missiles, including during Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises. The 11th vessel of the class, CG613 Lanyu, was delivered to the Coast Guard in February 2026.
The Tuo Chiang-class features a wave-piercing catamaran hull designed to improve stability, reduce radar signature, and enhance operational effectiveness in Taiwan’s coastal waters. The Batch 2 vessels further strengthen the Navy’s ability to deploy fast, heavily armed platforms as part of its distributed maritime defense posture.
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