Kuang Hua VI class missile boat
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Kuang Hua VI |
| Builders: | CSBC Corporation, Taiwan |
| Operators: |  Republic of China Navy |
| Preceded by: | Hai Ou class missile boat |
| Succeeded by: | N/A (Latest missile boat class authorised) |
| In service: | 2003 |
| Building: | 2 (as of 26 November 2007) |
| Planned: | 30 |
| Active: | 1 (prototype) (as of 26 November 2007) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Missile boat |
| Displacement: | 180 tonnes |
| Length: | 34.2 m |
| Beam: | 7.6 m |
| Draught: | 3 m |
| Propulsion: | Tognum Series 4000 diesel engines |
| Speed: | 33 knots (61 km/h) |
| Range: | 1,000 nautical miles (2,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Complement: | 19 |
| Armament: |
|
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.
Contents |
[edit] Project History
The Kuang Hua VI project was first unveiled in 1996, designed to replace the Hai Ou-class of patrol vessels currently in service with the ROCN.
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, was commissioned on October 1, 2003.
However, the tender was subsequently disputed by rival bidders and the Taiwanese legislative 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 2010.
It was reported on November 26, 2007 that work on the first two missile boats had begun.[1]
[edit] Design
In 2007 it was announced that Taiwan had placed an order for 90 Series 4000 large diesel engines from Tognum subsidiary MTU Asia, which would be used to power the Kuang Hua VI class.[2]
