Taiwan started construction on three new catamaran corvettes and four mine layers in an effort to boost its naval forces.

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) Floréal-class surveillance frigate Vendémiaire (F734) crossed the Taiwan Strait earlier this month, Reuters revealed yesterday.

Taiwan launched an 80-tons missile catamaran on March 15. It will be used by the NCSIST to support R&D work on new maritime weapon systems.