DEFENSE/First of second batch of indigenous stealth missile corvettes launched: Source

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) The first of the remaining five Tuo Chiang-class stealth missile corvettes being domestically built for the Navy was officially launched in a ceremony presided over by Navy Commander Admiral Tang Hua (唐華) on Wednesday, according to an anonymous military source.
The Dan Chiang (丹江, PGG-627) was launched in a ceremony that was closed to the press, with the newly constructed ship officially entering the water for the first time. The vessel was also christened, according to the source.
The corvette, named after Danda River (丹大溪) in central Nantou County, is expected to be delivered to Taiwan's Navy next year after further trials, the unnamed source added.
The Tuo Chiang-class corvette is a domestically designed and manufactured class of fast and stealthy multipurpose corvette built for the Navy.
In addition to the prototype -- the Tuo Chiang (沱江, PGG-618), which was commissioned in 2015 -- the first batch consisting of six corvettes have all delivered to the Navy and entered service.
The Dan Chiang is the first of the second batch of five corvettes that will be delivered to the Navy, which will have 11 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes by the end of 2026.
The Tuo Chiang-class corvette, which has a wave-piercing catamaran design and is 60.4m long and 14m wide, has a top speed of 30 knots (55.6kph) and a range of 1,800 nautical miles (3,334km), the navy says.
The corvette is fitted with subsonic Hsiung Feng II (雄風二, "Brave Wind II") missiles, supersonic Hsiung Feng III (雄風三, "Brave Wind III") anti-ship missiles, a 76mm cannon and Hai Chien II (海劍二, "Sea Sword II") carrier-based medium-range air defense missiles, enabling it to hit air and sea targets simultaneously, according to the Navy.
- Experts laud Han Kuang drills for realism, discipline and practicalityThe 2025 Han Kuang military exercises -- the longest in the history of the annual drills -- have drawn positive feedback for their emphasis on realistic combat training, higher troop visibility, and the debut of new military equipment, despite a few minor incidents during the 10-day period over which the exercises were held.07/21/2025 08:48 PM
- Experts urge focus on anti-drone tactics in Han Kuang drillsDefense experts have called for more focus on counter-drone drills in future Han Kuang exercises, saying the 41st edition, which ended Friday, lacked preparation for a potential large-scale drone attack by China.07/21/2025 02:48 PM
- Newly acquired micro-drones make Han Kuang drills debutSeveral newly deployed micro surveillance and reconnaissance drones have made their debut in the Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan's military media reported Thursday.07/18/2025 11:26 AM
- Politics
Lai urges unity, praises democracy after sweeping recall loss
07/26/2025 11:55 PM - Politics
Scholars cite partisan battle for mass recall whitewash
07/26/2025 11:49 PM - Politics
KMT holds ground as unprecedented recall movement derailed
07/26/2025 11:41 PM - Sports
Taiwan shuttlers dominate mixed doubles at World University Games
07/26/2025 10:23 PM - Politics
Recall failure a victory for Taiwan's people: KMT chairman
07/26/2025 09:45 PM