Tuo Chiang-class

The program for this class of coastal corvettes was officially announced by the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense in April 2010. Developed to address the limitations of traditional small warships in the rough maritime environments surrounding Taiwan, the project aimed to produce a vessel capable of sustained operations in heavy seas. Following budget approval in 2011, construction of the prototype commenced in 2012. The lead ship was christened in March 2014, inheriting its name from a gunboat involved in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. Subsequent production phases have focused on refining the hull design and integrating specialized combat systems for fleet-wide deployment.

The vessel utilizes a wave-piercing catamaran hull designed for high-speed stability in conditions up to sea state 7. Its architecture emphasizes low observability through several signature-reduction measures: a clean superstructure with minimal extrusions to decrease radar cross-section, pre-cooled engine exhausts to mask infrared emissions, and a reduced visual profile. These features are intended to allow the craft to blend into coastal radar noise, increasing survivability during engagements. The onboard combat suite employs a distributed-architecture direction system and an array of sensors, including AESA-type search radars, fire-control systems, and variable depth sonar on early models. Armament is centered on a mix of subsonic and supersonic anti-ship missiles, supplemented by anti-aircraft systems, torpedo launchers, and point-defense weaponry.

Operated by the Republic of China Navy, these corvettes are specifically tasked with countering naval forces through hit-and-run tactics. The class serves as a multi-mission platform, with specific iterations configured for air defense and ballistic missile defense. While the initial prototype was utilized for evaluation and testing, mass-produced units are designated for active combat readiness. The platform's design has also been adapted for use by the Coast Guard Administration as offshore patrol vessels. Deployment schedules indicate a phased integration of multiple batches to replace preceding patrol classes, with active commissions continuing through the mid-2020s.