The Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday received it largest ship to date. The 4000-ton class “Chiayi” (CG5001) finished its 10-month trial and was delivered to the Coast Guard Administration. President Tsai Ing-wen hosted the delivery ceremony of Chiayi and the naming and launching ceremony of the second Chiayi class patrol ship, Hsinchu (CG5002). She also conducted the bottle tossing for Hsinchu. These two ‘first’ shows the government’s resolution and confidence in conducting the “Indigenous National Defense Policy.
The Chiayi-class have a 5044-ton displacement, is capable of withstanding Class 10 winds and has an endurance of more than 10,000 nautical miles. The basic design is based on U.S. Coast Guards‘ Legend-class cutter. Chiayi-class has 2.75-inch rockets as the main weapon, 20mm guns, remote weapons stations, and water cannons for maritime law enforcement use. It also has some space for installing anti-ship missiles when it is needed during wartime. The capability to operate helicopters is considered with the defense of the Pratas and Spratly Islands in mind.
The Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council also known as the Taiwan Coast Guard or R.O.C. Coast Guard, is charged with maintaining law and order, protecting the resources of the territorial waters of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as well as providing a first line of defense along coastal areas against smugglers and illegal immigrants. The CGA is considered a civilian law enforcement agency under the administration of the Ocean Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan, though during emergencies it may be incorporated as part of the Republic of China Armed Forces.
As of 2019 the CGA planned to construct a total of 141 ships, including four 4000-tonne, six 1000-tonne, 12 600-tonne, 17 100-tonne, 52 35-tonne patrol ships and 50 coastal multi-purposed ships, by 2027. The programme started in 2018 and scheduled to end in 2027. Four 4000-ton class patrol vessels, six 1000-ton class patrol vessels, twelve 600-ton class patrol vessels, seventeen 100-ton class patrol boats, fifty-two 35-ton class patrol boats and fifty littoral utility boats are included in the program.
