Taiwan navy commissions stealth missile corvette to aid asymmetric war strategy against Beijing

The ‘carrier killer’ Ta Jiang was commissioned alongside a high-speed minelayer, both produced by Lung Teh Shipbuilding Company

Taiwan’s navy has proposed a budget of US$1.5 billion for the next financial year, including an allocation to upgrade six frigates

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Members of Taiwan’s navy attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ta Chiang corvette in Yilan county on September 9, 2021. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:01pm, 9 Sep 2021Updated: 11:29pm, 9 Sep 2021

Taiwan’s navy has commissioned its first stealth missile corvette to boost its deterrence capability and defend the island amid growing military threats from Beijing.

The multi-mission corvette Ta Jiang (PGG-619), dubbed as a “carrier killer”, was commissioned on Thursday at the same time the island’s navy took delivery of a high-speed minelayer under the supervision of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at a shipyard in Suao in northeast Taiwan.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen gives a “thumbs up” on the domestically made warship during its commissioning ceremony. Photo: AP Photo

Both vessels were produced by the Lung Teh Shipbuilding Company as part of the government plan to boost the island’s capability to buildi and develop its own weapons.

Speaking at a ceremony in Suao, Tsai said the commissioning of the Ta Jiang and delivery of the Min Jiang-class high-speed minelayer were solid proof of this.

“In less than a year, the navy has not only taken delivery of the Ta Jiang, but has also completed various tests of the ship’s combat readiness,” Tsai said, adding that this ended all doubts about its ability to build advanced warships.

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