Two vessels of the Ching Chiang class at Keelung
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	7
Retired	5
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

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

Overview

Named after the Jingjiang 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

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]