Ching Chiang-class patrol ship

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

Ching Chiang class
Class overview
Builders	CSBC Corporation, Taiwan
Operators	Republic of China Navy
Succeeded by	Tuo Chiang-class corvette
Built	1994–2000
In commission	1994–present
Planned	12
Completed	12
Active	6
Retired	6
General characteristics
Type	Patrol ship/corvette
Displacement	580 tons
Length	61.4 m (201 ft 5 in)
Beam	9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Draft	2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement	50

Two vessels of the Ching Chiang class at Keelung

The Ching Chiang class launching Hsiung Feng II

The Ching Chiang class launching Hsiung Feng III

The Ching Chiang class launching Hsiung Feng III

Overview

Named after the Jinjiang 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

Main article: Hsiung Feng III missile mishap

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