Taiwan ROCN launches its largest ever missile ship

Taiwan launches its largest ever missile ship |
Navy & Maritime Security News at DefenceTalk

Taiwan on Tuesday launched its largest ever missile ship as the island strives to modernise its armed forces in response to a perceived threat from China.
The 500-tonne corvette named ‘Tuo Chiang’ — ‘Tuo River’ — is the first of its kind ever produced by Taiwan and was touted by defence minister Yen Ming as “the fastest and most powerful” in Asia.
Armed with 16 missiles including eight supersonic Hsiung-feng III (Brave Wind) anti-ship missiles, it will boost Taiwan’s defence capabilities against its giant neighbor, which considers the island part of China’s territory awaiting to be reunited by force if necessary.
“From now on, the navy’s combat capabilities will reach a crucial milestone, Yen said at a launch ceremony held in the port of Suao, in northeastern Yilan county.

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‘Stealth’ frigate handed over to Taiwan's Navy | South China Morning Post
Military experts estimate testing of the missile system will take at least eight months. The navy hopes a fleet of the vessels could be deployed next year and plans to build 2,000-tonne twin-hull frigates in the future if the Tuo Jiang fleet performs well, the Liberty Times newspaper reported.
Tuo Jiang is part a NT$25 billion (HK$6.1 billion) budget approved by the legislature in 2011 to build eight to 12 of the corvettes as a defence measure against the mainland’s aircraft carrier.

Republic of China Navy officers pose with the first
Hsun Hai-class stealth missile corvette, the Tuo River 618, at its official launch yesterday in Suao, Yilan County.

Navy christens stealth missile corvette - Taipei Times 

The 500-tonne Tuo River (沱江) is the first of possibly 12 ships to be built locally under the Hsun Hai (迅海, Swift Sea) program.
The twin-hull corvette, described as a “carrier-killer” by local media, has a maximum speed of 38 knots (70kph) and a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704km). Its speed and low radar signature allows the corvette to get close to enemy targets, experts said.
The ship, 60.4m in length and 14m wide, carries a crew of 41. Its armaments include Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles.

Taiwan publicize Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile tests
| Defense Update:

Hsiung Feng III missiles are already installed on Taiwan’s Chengkung-class frigates and Chinchiang-class corvettes. The 502-ton Tuo Chiang, Taiwan’s first locally designed stealth missile corvette, will also be equipped with the missiles in the future, according to military sources.
The release of the images came as China also unveiled its new CX-1 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile at the recent Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, showing that both countries are placing emphasis on supersonic anti-ship missiles.
Hsiung Feng III uses two solid rocket boosters and a liquid propelled ramjet, accelerating the missile to a cruising speed of Mach 2.5-3.0. Its range is about 80 nautical miles (150 km), with minimum attack range of 16 nm (30 km). In contrast, China’s CX-1 supersonic anti-ship missile – unveiled at Airshow China in November 2014 – is capable of striking surface targets at 22-150 nm (40-280 km.)

Previously:

spendergast: Taiwan ROC Navy buys something old and something new