The Ching Chiang class (Chinese: 錦江) is a class of patrol ships/corvettes built by CSBC for the Republic of China Navy.[1]
 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 | 6 |
| Retired | 6 |
| 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 | 25knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Complement | 50 |
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]
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]
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]