Three warships, the landing platform dock “Yushan” (LPD-1401), catamaran corvette “Ta Chiang” (PGG-619) and fast mine laying boat (FMLB-1), were available for the public to visit. According to the Republic of China (ROC) navy, this is the first time that the public are allowed to visit the interior of these ships.
Yushan-class landing platform dock
The Yushan class LPD is heavily inspired by the San Antonio class, it has a total length of 153 meters, an overall beam of 23 meters, a hull draught of 6 meters and a full-load displacement of 10,600 tons. It can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. LPD Yushan is armed with 32x TC-2N (4×8) medium-range air defense missiles, a 76mm gun, and two Phalanx CIWS. The ship also has a single flight deck with two hangars able to accommodate S-70C (M) AAW helicopters.
Yushan class LPD is intended to carry out both military and humanitarian missions. It severs as a command ship for amphibious operations, the main unit in an amphibious task force to conduct amphibious combat missions to recover Taiwan’s outer (offshore) islands, a mothership for the minelayers, a maritime mobile field hospital, a general logistics transport capable of supplying islands without harbor facilities. Disaster relief and international humanitarian relief are the secondary roles of Yushan class LPD.
Tuo-chiang class corvette
The Tuo-chiang class corvette is designed to counter Chinese navy ships by conducting hit-and-run tactics, and is dubbed as “Carrier-killer” by some Taiwanese media. Tuo-chiang class is equipped with Hsiung Feng-II and Hisung Feng-III anti-ship missiles, OTO Melara 76 mm main gun, Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. The second and follow up ships of the class, are upgraded and modified, they are fitted with TC-2N surface to air missile that the prototype doesn’t have. The upgraded ships have a displacement of 685 tons, a little bit larger than the 600-ton prototype.
Fast Mine Laying Boat
The Fast Mine Laying Boat displaces 347 tons at full load, with a maximum speed of 14 knots. Length is 41m, width is 8.8m and draft is 1.7m.
The vessels have a precision automatic mine laying system which is capable to lay 4 different models of Taiwan’s indigenous mine. In addition to the mines, the fast mine laying boat is fitted with a T-75 20 mm cannon and T74 machine guns. These weapons are most likely to be used to defend the boat from airborne threats and small boat swarms.
Other Navy, Marine Corps units and NCSIST
Other Navy units set up booths to introduce themselves to the public visiting the event in order to help recruiting. Marine corps showed multiple Stinger missile launcher system, Humvees fitted with 20mm gun and 40mm grenade launcher, M109 speedboat, and marine special service company showed a Barrett M82 anti-materiel rifle. Although submarines are not available for visit during the event, the members of submarine force performed a war drum show. NCSIST also brought UAVs Cardinal, Albatross, and loitering munition for the visitors to view. The navy told media, about 46,000 people have visited the event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday November 11.
