Taiwan Coast Guard installs anti-ship missiles on Wanli Anping-class patrol vessel for wartime drills.

As reported by Taiwan's Military News Agency on July 10, 2025, as part of the Han Kuang 41 military exercise conducted from July 9 to 18, 2025, the Coast Guard Administration's 600-ton Anping-class patrol vessel Wanli (CG-609) has undergone peacetime-to-wartime conversion with the installation of anti-ship missiles.
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The integration of such missile capabilities into the Coast Guard ships was driven by former Vice Admiral Lee Chung-wei's tenure as director of the Coast Guard Administration, which promoted the notion of the Coast Guard as a "second navy" in times of crisis. (Picture source: Taiwanese MoD)

On July 10, the ship, supported by Taiwanese Navy logistics personnel at Su’ao Naval Base, completed the loading of eight Hsiung Feng II and eight Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile containers onto its upper deck. The installation was carried out using cranes, securing the missile launchers in designated slots reserved during construction. This transformation aligns with the national defense policy of enabling rapid reconfiguration of Coast Guard assets during conflict scenarios. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the objective is to enhance interoperability with naval forces. However, no live-fire tests of the installed missiles are planned during Han Kuang 41. Live-fire verification will be conducted at a later date following the conclusion of the exercise.

The Wanli (CG-609) is the seventh vessel of the Anping-class, derived from the Navy’s Tuo Chiang-class corvette design and constructed by Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company. The ship was delivered on November 10, 2023, and is assigned to the Northern Mobile Patrol Unit. It is constructed with a catamaran hull and aluminum alloy superstructure, measuring 65.4 meters in length and 14.8 meters in width, with a draft of 2.1 meters. Powered by two MTU 20V4000M93L diesel engines and four Hamilton HT900 waterjets, the vessel achieves a maximum speed of 44.5 knots and a cruising range of 3,250 nautical miles at 12 knots. The ship includes equipment for maritime patrol operations such as a 20 mm remote-controlled gun turret, a high-pressure water cannon with a reach of 120 meters, a multi-barrel Zhenhai rocket system, and facilities for search and rescue, including mechanical arms and RHIB deployment areas. The communications system includes VHF/UHF/MF/HF antennas, the CGICS digital command network, and satellite connectivity via the Wei-Xing system.

The vessel’s missile slots were built to house eight HF-2 and eight HF-3 anti-ship missiles, though they are not equipped in peacetime. During wartime or military exercises, the Coast Guard ships are prepared to receive these systems through naval support. The HF-2 missile uses a solid-propellant booster and turbojet engine, with ranges between 160 and 250 kilometers, and is guided by inertial navigation and active radar, and infrared seekers. The HF-3 missile, developed later, is supersonic and powered by a solid booster and liquid-fuel ramjet. It has a range between 150 and 200 kilometers, with an extended-range variant reaching up to 400 kilometers. It travels at speeds up to Mach 3.5. Both missiles are produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and include features to counter electronic interference. The Coast Guard does not operate the missile systems independently. Instead, the Navy dispatches a tactical director (lieutenant colonel), a fire control supervisor (master sergeant), and missile technicians to command and operate the systems.

The Anping-class vessels are designated for multiple roles depending on the situation. In peacetime, the Wanli patrols the northern Exclusive Economic Zone, conducts rescue operations, and is involved in fisheries enforcement and deterrence against unauthorized maritime activities. In wartime, the vessel can be converted into a missile launch platform within 24 hours. This concept of “fitted for but not with” allows Taiwan to expand its maritime defense options without maintaining a permanent combat posture. The Anping-class design omits the 76 mm main gun found on the Tuo Chiang class but maintains stealthy features and modular adaptability. The entire class is part of a larger Coast Guard modernization program launched under the 2018–2026 development plan, which includes 141 new vessels, 12 of which are Anping-class ships designed for dual-use missions. The ships are assigned regionally: Wanli operates in the north alongside Tamsui and Bali, which also belong to the 600-ton subclass.

The Anping-class’s missile slots were built to house eight HF-2 and eight HF-3 anti-ship missiles, though they are not equipped in peacetime. (Picture source: Taiwanese MoD)

This missile outfitting takes place within the broader context of Han Kuang 41, which includes operations by the Army, Air Force, and Navy in scenarios designed to simulate Chinese amphibious landings, missile attacks, and gray-zone incursions. On July 10, Army units such as the 269th Brigade conducted immediate readiness drills near Taoyuan Airport using CM11 tanks and CM22 mortar carriers. Simultaneously, Mirage 2000 and F-16 fighters were dispersed to hardened shelters and alternate bases, including Hualien and Taitung, simulating responses to missile strikes. The Navy deployed Tuo Chiang-class corvettes, including the Ta Jiang and An Jiang, to monitor eastern waters. The Marine Corps and the Army’s Kinmen Defense Command conducted anti-landing and infrastructure denial exercises. These activities are accompanied by civil defense rehearsals, such as shelter and evacuation tests in urban commercial locations.

The mounting of missiles on Wanli follows an earlier test in May 2022 when Anping (CG-601) launched an HF-2 missile under Navy supervision. That operation took place at the Jiupeng missile range, with Navy officers controlling the system. After the test, Anping was returned to port for structural evaluation. The Coast Guard confirmed that no physical traces of the launch remained. The integration of such missile capabilities into Coast Guard platforms was driven by former Vice Admiral Lee Chung-wei's tenure as director of the Coast Guard Administration. He promoted the merger of naval and coast guard functions, reinforcing the notion of the Coast Guard as a "second navy" in times of crisis. The vessels are designed to endure up to Beaufort scale nine conditions, and although questions have been raised about their aluminum construction and survivability, the Coast Guard has stated that the ships meet structural integrity and endurance requirements.

The strategic rationale for these conversions reflects Taiwan’s need to counterbalance China’s larger naval fleet. The PLA Navy operates over 400 vessels, including Type 055 destroyers and multiple aircraft carriers. Taiwan's Navy includes four Kidd-class destroyers, six Kang Ding-class frigates, and a number of older platforms. By arming 600-ton patrol ships such as Wanli, Taiwan adds layers of distributed strike capability. The Littoral Combat Command, established in January 2025 following the reorganization of the Hai Feng shore-based missile group, now operates regional missile strike units using Hsiung Feng and Harpoon missiles. These units report a projected kill probability of 70 percent against enemy surface ships. The modular approach adopted by Taiwan mirrors similar concepts seen in other navies, such as the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program and Denmark’s StanFlex system, which prioritize flexibility and rapid role change.

Despite the advantages, there are still operational limitations. The Anping-class lacks integrated air defense systems and remains vulnerable to enemy air attacks or precision strikes. Moreover, Taiwan’s efforts to expand annual missile production from 81 to 131 units face challenges, including limited domestic capacity and reliance on specific suppliers. Nonetheless, this year’s Han Kuang exercise includes increased international observation and participation in planning sessions. U.S. Marine Corps Major General Jay Bargeron’s involvement in exercise preparation was publicly acknowledged, reflecting an advisory role to improve force integration and readiness. The long-term implications of this conversion model will depend on whether the Coast Guard can maintain law enforcement responsibilities while preparing for joint operations and whether such dual-use platforms can be produced, armed, and deployed at scale within required timelines. The Wanli’s current role provides an example for future missions, but continued analysis will be required to determine its impact on Taiwan’s maritime defense posture.