Taipei Times
Date: Apr 09, 2017
By: Lo Tien-pin and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer
A military source on Friday confirmed plans for the production of an upgraded version
President Tsai Ing-wen is accompanied by officers during a visit to a Tuo Jiang-class corvette in Yilan County’s Suao Township Jhongjheng harbor on June 4 last year. Photo courtesy of the Military News Agency
of the navy’s Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvette that is to incorporate expanded anti-aircraft capabilities.
The new vessel type is to be longer, wider and equipped with 3D radar systems and a ship-to-air version of the Tien Chien II (“Sky Sword”) guided missile system.
A total of 11 vessels are to be produced in three lots, for a total of 12 ships including the original Tuo Chiang-class corvette, the source said.
The navy plans to begin operating three of the new vessels and make design adjustments where needed before commissioning the subsequent two lots, the source said, adding that the first lot is scheduled to be completed by 2025 at a cost of NT$14.434 billion (US$471.68 million). [FULL STORY]
