Kuang Hua VI class missile boat
Encyclopedia
The Kuang Hua VI class missile boat is a new type of patrol craft entering service with the Republic of China
(Taiwan) Navy
(ROCN). The prototype was launched in 2003, and the whole class is scheduled to enter service by 2010.
of patrol vessels currently in service with the ROCN. The missile boat's design was to be stealthy, therefore not carrying any air or surface search radar on board, except for the navigational radar. The missile boat's targeting info is going to come from shore and other larger naval combatants via datalink.
The contract to produce 30 Kuang Hua VI missile boats was awarded to CSBC Corporation, Taiwan
(then as China Ship Building Corporation, CSBC) in 2003. The prototype, FACG-60(Fast Attack Craft, Guided missile), was commissioned on October 1, 2003.
However, the tender was subsequently disputed by rival bidders and the Taiwanese legislature
froze the budget for the construction of the class until 2007. The ROCN and CSBC subsequently agreed that construction would commence on the 30 vessels and that work would be completed by the end of 2011, in batch of two missile crafts, but the construction works will be shared with 2 other civilian shipyards.
It was reported on November 26, 2007 that work on the first two missile boats had begun.
FACG 61 and 62 were handed over to ROC Navy in late May and entered ROCN service by end of August 2009. Second batch consist of FACG 63 and 64 had handed over to ROC Navy on Sept 5th, 2009 and entered service November 10, 2009. Third batch of FACG 65 and 66 handed over to ROCN October 30, 2009 and entered service December 17, 2009. Forth batch of FACG 68 and 69(hull number 67 skipped due to two digits added up to 13, consider unlucky number by ROCN) handed over to ROCN December 22, 2009 and entered service on Feb. 10, 2010. Fifth batch of FACG 70 and 71 handed over to ROCN March 15, 2010. And FACG 70 and 71 entered service on May 18, 2010, as part of the first KH-6 missile craft guided squadron, 5th Sea Dragon squadron, that stand up with the first 10 missile crafts and the prototype on May 18, 2010. And according to the news reports, it's expected the 31 KH-6 guided missile crafts will form into 3 existing Sea Dragon squadron, and phases out 3 of the 5 current Sea Dragon squadrons with older and small Hai Ou missile boats. The 2 remaining Sea Dragons squadrons with less than 20 years old Hai Ou missile boats will soldiering on. On May 14, 2010, the sixth batch of FACG 72 and 73 handed over to ROCN, and commissioned into service on July 15, 2010. On July 16, 2010, the seventh batch of FACG 74 and 75 were handed over to ROCN. On September 27, 2010, the eighth batch of FACG 77 and 78(hull number 76 skipped due to two digits added up to 13, consider unlucky number by ROCN) were handed over to ROCN and entered service with ROCN on November 12, 2010.FACG 79 and 80 handed over to ROC Navy on November 22, 2010, and entered service on January 10, 2011. Last batch of KH-6 missile boats, FACG 92 and 93 handed over to ROC Navy on October 12, 2011.
The only prototype of the Kuang Hwa VI, FACG-60, lost its power and was entrenched upon tetrapods on an outer seawall/breakwaters while entering port after Typhoon Jangmi. The Navy initially considered scuttling the ship as previous attempts to remove it failed and it was cheaper. However after several more attempts, the Navy salvage crew managed to remove the ship from the seawall/breakwaters and took it on a barge and moved to the dock for further repair. The ROCN stated that they are confident the ship will be repaired to full operational capabilities.FACG-60 was spotted back in water in December 2009, doing testing outside of Kaohsiung harbor.
subsidiary MTU Asia, which would be used to power the Kuang Hua VI class, 3 engines per missile boat.
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan) Navy
Republic of China Navy
The Republic of China Navy is the maritime branch of the Armed forces of the Republic of China . The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by forces of the People's Republic of China...
(ROCN). The prototype was launched in 2003, and the whole class is scheduled to enter service by 2010.
Project history
The Kuang Hua VI project was first unveiled in 1996, designed to replace the Hai Ou class missile boatDvora class fast patrol boat
The Dvora class fast patrol boat is a fast class of patrol boats built by Israel Aerospace Industries for the Israeli Sea Corps based on the Israeli Dabur.-Sri Lanka:...
of patrol vessels currently in service with the ROCN. The missile boat's design was to be stealthy, therefore not carrying any air or surface search radar on board, except for the navigational radar. The missile boat's targeting info is going to come from shore and other larger naval combatants via datalink.
The contract to produce 30 Kuang Hua VI missile boats was awarded to CSBC Corporation, Taiwan
CSBC Corporation, Taiwan
CSBC Corporation, Taiwan , CSBC for short, formerly known as China Shipbuilding Corporation is a state-owned enterprise of the Republic of China...
(then as China Ship Building Corporation, CSBC) in 2003. The prototype, FACG-60(Fast Attack Craft, Guided missile), was commissioned on October 1, 2003.
However, the tender was subsequently disputed by rival bidders and the Taiwanese legislature
Legislative Yuan
The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China .The Legislative Yuan is one of the five branches of government stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of China, which follows Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People...
froze the budget for the construction of the class until 2007. The ROCN and CSBC subsequently agreed that construction would commence on the 30 vessels and that work would be completed by the end of 2011, in batch of two missile crafts, but the construction works will be shared with 2 other civilian shipyards.
It was reported on November 26, 2007 that work on the first two missile boats had begun.
FACG 61 and 62 were handed over to ROC Navy in late May and entered ROCN service by end of August 2009. Second batch consist of FACG 63 and 64 had handed over to ROC Navy on Sept 5th, 2009 and entered service November 10, 2009. Third batch of FACG 65 and 66 handed over to ROCN October 30, 2009 and entered service December 17, 2009. Forth batch of FACG 68 and 69(hull number 67 skipped due to two digits added up to 13, consider unlucky number by ROCN) handed over to ROCN December 22, 2009 and entered service on Feb. 10, 2010. Fifth batch of FACG 70 and 71 handed over to ROCN March 15, 2010. And FACG 70 and 71 entered service on May 18, 2010, as part of the first KH-6 missile craft guided squadron, 5th Sea Dragon squadron, that stand up with the first 10 missile crafts and the prototype on May 18, 2010. And according to the news reports, it's expected the 31 KH-6 guided missile crafts will form into 3 existing Sea Dragon squadron, and phases out 3 of the 5 current Sea Dragon squadrons with older and small Hai Ou missile boats. The 2 remaining Sea Dragons squadrons with less than 20 years old Hai Ou missile boats will soldiering on. On May 14, 2010, the sixth batch of FACG 72 and 73 handed over to ROCN, and commissioned into service on July 15, 2010. On July 16, 2010, the seventh batch of FACG 74 and 75 were handed over to ROCN. On September 27, 2010, the eighth batch of FACG 77 and 78(hull number 76 skipped due to two digits added up to 13, consider unlucky number by ROCN) were handed over to ROCN and entered service with ROCN on November 12, 2010.FACG 79 and 80 handed over to ROC Navy on November 22, 2010, and entered service on January 10, 2011. Last batch of KH-6 missile boats, FACG 92 and 93 handed over to ROC Navy on October 12, 2011.
The only prototype of the Kuang Hwa VI, FACG-60, lost its power and was entrenched upon tetrapods on an outer seawall/breakwaters while entering port after Typhoon Jangmi. The Navy initially considered scuttling the ship as previous attempts to remove it failed and it was cheaper. However after several more attempts, the Navy salvage crew managed to remove the ship from the seawall/breakwaters and took it on a barge and moved to the dock for further repair. The ROCN stated that they are confident the ship will be repaired to full operational capabilities.FACG-60 was spotted back in water in December 2009, doing testing outside of Kaohsiung harbor.
Design
In 2007 it was announced that Taiwan had placed an order for 90 Series 4000 large diesel engines from TognumTognum
Tognum AG is the name of a German industrial concern, formed when private equity fund EQT IV acquired several divisions of DaimlerChrysler. All units are to assume the corporate brand, but will otherwise operate independently....
subsidiary MTU Asia, which would be used to power the Kuang Hua VI class, 3 engines per missile boat.