Ching Chiang-class Fast Attack Missile Craft
Taiwan's Kuang Hua III [Glorious China] naval modernization program included the acquisition of 12 Ching Chiang-class 580-ton guided missile patrol combatants [the number was evidently later reduced to 11, not 12]. As of mid-1999, five had been launched, but, because of failure by the lead unit to pass sea trials, none had been accepted into service, far behind program schedule. The fire control system (FCS) of the new missile patrol craft RCNS Dang Chiang repeatedly failed acceptance trials in 1999, resulting in Navy's refusal to accept the ship. Built under the Kuang Hua-3 program, Dang Chiang was the first of the Ching Chiang-class patrol craft, construction for which began in September 1997. Only this class prototype carries antiship missiles. The patrol craft RCNS Jin Chiang was launched on 13 May 1999, with delivery expected before the year's end. The patrol ship Chuchiang, the 11th of the Chinchiang-class vessels, was christened in early March 2000. On 21 July 2000, Taiwan commissioned the last four of a dozen Ching Chiang-class patrol craft.
In December 2000 Taiwan's Navy announced plans to replace the Hsiung Feng-II with the Harpoon as the standard anti-ship missile on the Cheng Kung-class frigate. The decision grew from concerns for the higher cost-effectiveness of the new weapon system. Compared with the RGM -84L Harpoon missile, the Hsiung Feng-II was judged inferior in respect to range and maneuverability. The Hsiung Feng-II missiles on board the Cheng Kung-class frigates will be moved to the domestically-built Ching Chiang-class patrol boats, as well as the next-generation missile boats in a pre-production. The Hsiung Feng-II missile had been chosen for the Cheng Kung-class frigate because the US was not willing to sell the Harpoons to Taiwan when the frigates were built.
Specifications | |
| Builder | |
| Propulsion | diesel |
| Length | 201 feet / 61.4 meters |
| Beam | 32 feet / 9.5 meters |
| Draft | 9.5 feet / 2.9 meters |
| Displacement | 580 tons full load |
| Endurance | |
| Speed | 25 knots |
| Crew | 50 |
| Armament |
|
| Construction |
Number Name Homeport Year 603 Jing Chiang Tsoying 1994 605 Dang Chiang Tsoying 1999 606 Sing Chiang Tsoying 1999 607 Feng Chiang Tsoying 1999 608 Tzeng Chiang Tsoying 1999 609 Kao Chiang Tsoying 1999 610 Jin Chiang Tsoying 2000 611 Hsiang Chiang Tsoying 2000 612 Tze Chiang Tsoying 2000 613 Po Chiang Tsoying 2000 615 Chang Chiang Tsoying 2000 616 Chu Chian Tsoying 2000 |
Sources and Methods
- ROC NAVY'S 11TH CHINCHIANG-CLASS PATROL SHIP CHRISTENED [CNA Taiwan] 25 February 2000 -- The patrol ship Chuchiang, the 11th and the last of the Chinchiang-class vessels constructed by China Shipbuilding Corp. for the Republic of China Navy, was christened on Friday.
- `CHINCHIANG-CLASS' COASTAL PATROL FLEET COMMISSIONED [CNA Taiwan] 30 December 1999 -- The nine patrol vessels commissioned on Thursday will be joined in May 2000 by two further ships currently being built by the state-run China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSC).
- ANOTHER CHINCHIANG-CLASS PATROL BOAT LAUNCHED (CNA-Taiwan) 22 December 1999 -- With the latest addition, the Navy will have a total of 11 Chinchiang-class vessels.
- FIFTH DOMESTICALLY-MADE PATROL VESSEL HANDED OVER TO ROC NAVY [CNA Taiwan] 17 November 1999 -- The 500-ton patrol vessel Kao Chiang, the fifth Chin Chiang-class vessel constructed by China Shipbuilding Corp. for the Republic of China Navy, was handed over to the navy on Wednesday.
- ROC NAVY TAKES DELIVERY OF 2 LOCALLY-BUILT PATROL SHIPS China News Agency [Taiwan] 07 September 1999 -- The Tan Chiang and Hsin Chiang are the first two of the 11 Chin Chiang-class offshore patrol ships the Navy has ordered from the CSBC under its "Kuanghua No. 3" naval ships modernization plan.
