On July 24, 2026, the Republic of China (ROC) Navy commissioned its first Batch 2 Tuo Chiang-class corvette, marking a milestone for the indigenous fast-attack program.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te presided over the commissioning of ROCS Tan Chiang (PGG-627) at Tsoying Naval Base, the Navy’s largest installation. Senior officials including Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, and Navy Commander Admiral Chiang Cheng-Kuo attended.
Tan Chiang is the eighth hull in the Tuo Chiang class and the first of the second production batch. According to officials, all 12 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are slated for delivery and commissioning by the end of 2026.
In remarks at the ceremony, President Lai thanked Navy personnel and the wider defense industrial base, citing their work to overcome challenges, bring the ships into service, and advance Taiwan’s domestic warship production goals.
Operation Employment Concept of Tuo Chiang-class corvette
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the Tuo Chiang-class corvette carries out peacetime tasks that include patrols, escorting transport vessels to offshore islands, and supporting routine readiness drills. The ships can also integrate with main combatant task forces to help secure sea lines of communication, bolster rapid defense of offshore islands, and respond to contingencies.
In wartime, the class supports surface combat task groups in sea-control operations and can independently command and control missile boats. Missions include extending operational reach, conducting joint counter-blockade and strike operations, and engaging hostile forces approaching the coastline.
Additional wartime roles include patrol and port-area defense, reconnaissance, support to special operations, offensive and defensive minelaying, infiltration missions, and transporting supplies to offshore islands.
2 batches of Tuo Chiang-class corvette
The follow-on Tuo Chiang-class ships are split into two sub-batches. The first includes ROCS Ta Chiang (PGG-619), Fu Chiang (PGG-620), Hsu Chiang (PGG-621), Wu Chiang (PGG-623), An Chiang (PGG-625), and Wan Chiang (PGG-626). These vessels are fitted with the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire-control radar.
The second sub-batch, starting with Tan Chiang, is equipped with the Leonardo NA-30S Mk2 fire-control radar. The change followed the French government’s decision not to approve exports of Thales-produced radar systems, including the STIR series, to Taiwan. Taiwan has employed STIR-series radars since the 1980s.
Construction of the five ships in the second sub-batch began in 2024, with deliveries scheduled between March and December 2026. A similar focus on indigenous and regional naval modernization is evident as Singapore launches second MRCV for Republic of Singapore Navy.