The newly commissioned Tuo Jiang-class corvette yesterday joined other warships in conducting combat simulation exercises in the nation’s southern territorial waters, the first time the new ship has been involved in them.
Despite inclement weather and rough conditions, the combined air and marine drill was carried out successfully as part of the two-day “New Year’s Day Naval Combat Readiness Patrol.”
Led by the Keelung-class Ma Kong guided missile destroyer, the Republic of China Navy vessels also included one Kang Ding-class frigate, as well as Cheng Kung-class and Chi Yang-class vessels and eight Kuang Hua-class fast-attack missile boats.
Photo: Wang Min-wei, Taipei Times
The drills took place to the southwest of Greater Kaohsiung as the destroyer was on the return leg of a journey to near Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) the previous night.
The Tuo Jiang 618 departed from Kaohsiung’s Tsoying Naval Base and displayed its capabilities in joint maneuvers with the frigate fleet to simulate combat situations in the event of an intrusion by enemy ships into the area.
Another main focus of the exercises was anti-submarine maneuvers, with two S70-C attack helicopters joining the leading frigates to simulate reconnaissance, detection and the neutralization of an enemy submarine target.
The 618 displayed its mobility by overtaking the Ma Kong on its starboard side and outpacing it, showcasing its speed even in rough seas.
Other drills involved a simulated intrusion by fast enemy attack boats, with the Ma Kong displaying its combat capabilities to repel the targets.
Senior naval officials had high praise for the 618’s performance.
“We saw its excellent mobility and speed in response to various situations,” said Vice Admiral Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光), director of the Navy Fleet Command Headquarters. “With the addition of the Tuo Jiang corvette and its eight missiles, we have greatly enhanced the navy’s combat readiness to defend our nation’s marine territories.”
Conditions were rougher than expected over the two days at sea, especially when the ships passed through Bashi Channel (巴士海峽), a waterway between the Batanes Islands of the Philippines and Orchid Island.
The 10,500-tonne Ma Kong rolled in the rough waves, whipped up by strong northeasterly winds and swells of up to 14m, according to reports by the ship’s quartermaster.
Ma Kong captain Liu Wen-tai (劉文泰) gave a New Year’s Day greeting to visiting military officials and reporters. However, due to the inclement weather, the ship was not able to catch the first sunrise of the year as had been planned.
Liu said the destroyer makes regular patrols of the nation’s waters, including the Taiwan Strait, the east coast and the Bashi Channel.
About 2,000 navy personnel on the warships and at coastal radar stations are engaged in around-the-clock defense of the nation’s waters to protect Taiwan against hostile intent by enemy vessels, Liu said.
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