TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The second batch of Tuo Chiang-class corvettes is expected to be completed and launched by 2026, the Ministry of National Defense said in a report on Monday (Sept. 30).
Production of the five additional ships began in the first half of this year and has progressed as scheduled, Liberty Times reported. The Navy received its first batch of six corvettes earlier this year.
Once the second batch of corvettes is delivered to the Navy, there will be 12 total (including the prototype ship). Together with the Coast Guard Administration’s 12 Anping-class patrol vessels, which are based on the Tuo Chiang, they will boost Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare capabilities.
Taiwan is also planning two light frigate prototypes. One is specialized in anti-submarine warfare, and the other is outfitted for air defense. The anti-submarine warfare variant will have canister missile launchers rather than a vertical launch system and will be equipped with a towed array sonar to facilitate anti-sub operations.
The "New Generation Light Frigate" project was awarded to CSBC Corporation and both ships are slated to be completed by 2026 with a budget of NT$24.55 billion (US$807.65 million). Ten light frigates are intended to replace the aging Chi Yang-class frigates.