Taiwan Accelerates Tuo Chiang-class guided missile corvettes Production Amid Rising Chinese Naval Threats.

On April 18, 2025, an image circulating on Telegram social media revealed that Taiwan has accelerated the construction of its second batch of Tuo Chiang-class guided missile corvettes. Photographs taken at Lung Teh Shipbuilding’s Su'ao shipyard in Yilan County show two of the five new vessels under construction, signaling a significant advancement in Taiwan's indigenous naval capabilities.
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Two Tuo Chiang-class guided missile corvettes under construction at Lung Teh Shipbuilding’s Su'ao shipyard in Yilan County, Taiwan, as part of the accelerated production of the second batch of indigenous stealth warships for the Republic of China Navy. (Picture source: Telegram Social Network)

The Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are central to Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy, designed to counterbalance the growing maritime capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). These fast, stealthy, and heavily armed vessels are optimized for operations in the confined waters around Taiwan, providing a formidable deterrent against larger adversaries.

This latest move comes amid a noticeable intensification of Chinese naval activity in the region. Over the past several months, the PLAN has significantly ramped up its presence around Taiwan, frequently conducting large-scale military drills, joint patrols, and simulated blockade exercises near the island. These maneuvers, involving aircraft carriers, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships, are viewed by Taipei as deliberate displays of force aimed at pressuring Taiwan and challenging its sovereignty. In response, the Taiwanese military has prioritized bolstering its maritime defenses, with the Tuo Chiang-class corvettes forming a critical component of its countermeasure strategy.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the second batch of five corvettes is expected to be completed and launched by 2026. This follows the successful delivery of the first batch of six corvettes, which entered service earlier this year. Once the second batch is commissioned, the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) will operate a total of 12 Tuo Chiang-class vessels. These will be complemented by 12 Anping-class patrol frigates, which are based on the same hull design and currently serve with Taiwan’s Coast Guard, enhancing the nation's layered maritime defense posture.

Developed and built domestically by Lung Teh Shipbuilding in collaboration with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the Tuo Chiang-class represents a significant achievement in Taiwan’s indigenous defense manufacturing. The design features a wave-piercing catamaran hull, which provides high stability and reduced radar cross-section, essential for stealth operations in littoral environments. The vessels are powered by waterjet propulsion systems, enabling top speeds of up to 40 knots and high maneuverability.

In terms of armament, the Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are equipped with a mix of domestically developed weaponry. One of the most potent systems onboard is the Hsiung Feng III (HF-3 or Xiongfeng-3) supersonic anti-ship missile. The HF-3 is a key component of Taiwan's maritime strike capability. It is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.5 and has a range estimated between 150 to 400 kilometers, depending on variant and launch profile. The missile is designed to penetrate advanced naval defenses using a high-speed, sea-skimming trajectory and terminal maneuvering. Its 225 kg high-explosive warhead is capable of disabling or destroying large warships, making it a critical deterrent against any naval incursion.

Additionally, the corvettes are outfitted with Hsiung Feng II subsonic missiles, a 76mm naval gun, Sea Sword II air-defense missiles, and the Phalanx CIWS for close-in protection against incoming threats. These weapons systems give the Tuo Chiang-class a versatile combat profile suitable for anti-surface, anti-air, and self-defense roles.

The acceleration of the Tuo Chiang-class corvette program underscores Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its self-reliant defense capabilities amid increasing regional tensions, especially in the Taiwan Strait. With growing military pressure from China, the need to strengthen Taiwan's naval forces has become more urgent. By investing in agile and potent naval platforms like the Tuo Chiang-class, Taiwan aims to fortify its deterrence posture, enhance maritime domain awareness, and safeguard its sovereignty against any potential blockade or amphibious assault.

In an era where large-scale naval confrontation remains a possibility in the Asia-Pacific, Taiwan’s emphasis on fast-attack corvettes equipped with sophisticated missile systems ensures it retains credible deterrent power. The continued production of the Tuo Chiang-class vessels represents both a technological success and a strategic imperative in the face of evolving regional threats.