Taiwan’s new ‘carrier killer’ ships are ready to boost island’s asymmetric war plan

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Taiwan will commission two Tuo Jiang-class stealth missile corvettes this week to enhance its asymmetric warfare capabilities in response to growing threats from Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army.

Dubbed “carrier killers,” the An Jiang and Wan Jiang corvettes are part of the initial batch of six relatively small yet fast and agile ships in the island’s navy, a military source said on Monday.

“An Jiang and Wan Jiang have completed their combat training and will be officially enlisted by the navy on Wednesday to safeguard our waters,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

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Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech

Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech

These domestically built warships represent the fifth and sixth additions to the navy, in addition to a prototype commissioned in 2015.

“The second batch of five more corvettes is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of 2026,” the source said.

Measuring 60.4 metres long and 14 metres wide (198 feet by 46 feet), the corvettes feature a wave-piercing catamaran design. They boast a maximum speed of 45 knots (83km/h), a displacement of 700 tonnes and an operational range of 1,800 nautical miles, according to the navy.

Armed with domestically developed Hsiung Feng II and III anti-ship missiles, as well as Hai Chien II anti-aircraft missiles, the vessels can engage targets on land or sea, including aircraft carriers. Additionally, they are equipped with 76mm cannons, Phalanx close-in weapon systems and T74 machine guns.

Taiwan’s navy said the corvettes incorporate stealth technology to avoid easy detection and could operate effectively in shallow or coastal waters – areas where larger vessels such as destroyers and frigates find it harder to operate.

Four corvettes have already been commissioned: Ta Jiang, Fu Jiang, Hsu Jiang and Wu Jiang.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary. Like most countries, the United States does not recognise Taiwan as independent, but is opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo and remains committed to supplying arms to Taipei.

Since the island’s leader William Lai Ching-te, from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, was elected in January, the PLA has escalated military intimidation against Taiwan.

Beijing views Lai as an “obstinate separatist” whose leadership could lead to conflict. After Lai assumed office on May 20 he declared that Taiwan and the mainland “are not subordinate to each other”.

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William Lai sworn in as new Taiwan leader amid pledge to keep status quo across the strait

In response, the PLA conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of the island.

Late last month, tensions escalated in the Taiwan Strait due to a tense stand-off between Taiwanese and mainland Chinese coastguards in the waters off Quemoy, a Taiwan-controlled defence outpost also known as Kinmen, after four mainland patrol boats entered the area.

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