Ching Chiang-class patrol ship

Corvette class of the Republic of China Navy
Two vessels of the Ching Chiang class at Keelung
Class overview
BuildersCSBC Corporation, Taiwan
Operators Republic of China Navy
Succeeded byTuo Chiang-class corvette
Built1994–2000
In commission1994–present
Planned12
Completed12
Active7
Retired5
General characteristics
TypePatrol ship/corvette
Displacement580 tons
Length61.4 m (201 ft 5 in)
Beam9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Draft2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement50
PGG-609
ROCN Chih Yang (FFG-932) and three Ching Chiang-class patrol ships at Keelung Naval Pier
ROCN PGG-608 in Port of Keelung

The Ching Chiang class (Chinese: 錦江) is a class of patrol ships/corvettes built by CSBC for the Republic of China Navy.[1]

Overview

Named after the Jingjiang river in Guangdong, China, this class of vessels were initially equipped with the HF-1 anti-ship missile, one 40 mm anti-aircraft gun, and one 20 mm gun.[2]

Beginning in 2012 the ROCN began upgrading the Ching Chiang class to counter the increasing capabilities of the PRC. The primary improvements were the fitting of four HF-3 supersonic anti-ship missile launchers [3] and the fitting of the OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun in place of the 40 mm gun on certain vessels.[2]

Operational history

In 2020 one of the Ching Chiang-class patrol ships outfitted with special electronic warfare equipment was used to interfere with the signals collection of Chinese spy ships during the annual Han Kuang Exercise.[4]

The lead ship of the class, Ching Chiang (PGG-603), was retired on 1 February 2021.[5]

HF-3 misfire

In 2016 Jin Chiang (PGG-610) accidentally launched an HF-3 missile during a dockside drill. While the warhead of the missile was unarmed the missile hit a fishing vessel and did considerable damage. The ship's captain was killed and three crew members were injured.[6][1]

See also

  • Tuo Chiang-class
  • Anping-class offshore patrol vessel
  • Type 037 corvette
  • Cyclone-class patrol ship

References

  1. ^ a b Minnick, Wendell. "Taiwan Anti-Ship Missile Destroys Fishing Boat". www.defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b Cole, J. Michael. "Vessels being outfitted with HF-3s". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  3. ^ Hollingsbee, Trevor. "TAIWANESE WARSHIPS CARRY OUT MISSILE FIRINGS". www.bairdmaritime.com. Baird Maritime. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  4. ^ Strong, Matthew. "Taiwan Navy chases Chinese spy ships away during war games". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  5. ^ Chen, Kelvin. "Taiwan Navy decommissions domestically produced patrol ship". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan Navy. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  6. ^ Rogoway, Tyler. "Fishing Boat Hit by Accidentally Fired Taiwanese Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile". www.thedrive.com. The Drive. Retrieved 28 October 2019.