President Tsai Ing-wen launched the ROC (Taiwan) navy’s stealth corvette Ta Chiang and took delivery of its second fast minelayer Sept. 9 at Suao naval base in the northeastern county of Yilan.
Ta Chiang is the first domestically developed small warship with significant anti-aircraft capabilities, Tsai said. It represents the government’s rock-solid commitment to safeguarding the country’s territorial waters and the people, she added.
Constructed by Taipei City-headquartered Lungteh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in partnership with National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology based in the northern city of Taoyuan, the corvette is named after Tawa River in the southeastern county of Taitung.
According to Tsai, the river and its surrounds are the traditional home of Taiwan’s indigenous Paiwan people. Ta Chiang is a tribute to the courage, fearlessness and skill in combat of the tribe, she said, adding that the corvette is another remarkable achievement in the country’s homegrown shipbuilding program.
It is hoped that Taiwan’s women and men in uniform will draw inspiration from the name and perform their duties with commitment and tenacity, just like the Paiwan warriors, Tsai said.
The Ministry of National Defense said the corvette is highly maneuverable and boasts an array of leading-edge weapons such as the medium range Sea Sword II, a ship-launched variant of the Tien Chien II air-to-air missile deployed with the Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter.
State-backed NCSIST, the primary provider of indigenous weapons systems for Taiwan, is a key player in the government’s five-plus-two innovative industries plan. The initiative is fostering the development of the biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things sectors, as well as the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development. (SFC-E)
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