Taiwan has officially commissioned the Dan Chiang, the latest Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvette, as part of its ongoing naval modernization and indigenous warship construction program. According to Taipei Times, the vessel entered service during a ceremony at Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung, joining its sister ships, Tuo Chiang and Ta Chiang. The Taiwanese Navy expects all 12 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes to be operational by the end of the year, significantly strengthening the island’s coastal defense capabilities. The Tuo Chiang-class is a high-speed stealth corvette featuring a catamaran hull and low-observable design that minimizes radar detection while delivering enhanced stability and maneuverability. The vessels are equipped for anti-ship and air-defense missions, carrying Taiwan’s indigenous Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missiles along with other guided munitions. Certain variants are also capable of launching extended-range strike missiles with an estimated range of up to 400 kilometers. The commissioning forms part of Taiwan’s broader naval expansion strategy. Following the completion of two prototype vessels, the navy plans to build 10 next-generation light frigates between 2028 and 2040, including five air-defense frigates and five anti-submarine warfare variants, at an estimated cost of NT$250 billion (US$7.7 billion). Separately, Taiwan recently announced plans to manufacture more than 1,200 Hai Chien II (Sea Sword II) missiles for its surface fleet after the missile successfully completed a live-fire test against a simulated drone target off the island’s southern coast.
