Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) took delivery of a new missile corvette, the Chenggong, which will be deployed in eastern Taiwan to protect Taiwan’s maritime rights and the interests of local fishermen. A symbolic handover ceremony was held in a shipyard owned by Kaohsiung City-based Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Group, the builder of the vessel, during which the ship’s captain was presented with a model of the Chenggong.
The Chenggong, hull number CG-602, is its second Anping-class corvette, adding that it will be assigned to the Eastern Sector Flotilla to protect Taiwan’s maritime rights and local fishermen operating in waters off eastern Taiwan. The Chengong crew have completed vessel handling training and battle systems training will follow shortly. Ships of this class are also fitted for but not actually equipped with Hsiung Feng III and Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles.
The Anping-class is a class of offshore patrol vessels manufactured by Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company for the Coast Guard Administration of Taiwan. In wartime they would serve as fast attack craft. They are capable of traveling at over 44 knots and can withstand a wind of 75-88 kilometers per hour, the CGA said, adding that the vessels are designated a rescue operation area and receive a rescue boat to meet the needs of Cost Guard operations.
In 2018, the CGA announced plans to buy 12 Anping-class corvettes to beef up Taiwan’s offshore patrol capabilities. The class is based on the Tuo Chiang-class corvette of the Republic of China Navy but lacks the 76mm main gun and has modifications for use in the law enforcement role. They are fitted for but not with the HF-3 and HF-2 anti-ship missiles with the same capacity as the Tuo Chiang-class. They can be easily converted into fast attack crafts in wartime.
