Many Missile Boats in the Taiwan Straits

Taiwan is building up to 29 additional guided-missile patrol boats. These are Kuang Hua VI class boats, and are part of Taiwan’s modernization program. These boats are to replace 47 older Hai Ou-class (“Seagull”) boats. The pursuit of modern small combatants by Taiwan is no real surprise. When a strait of water separates two enemies, larger vessels like destroyers and even frigates are at a disadvantage, but small craft like corvettes and missile boats are almost at home in limited waters where the action will be close. This was the case in the English Channel during World War II, and the same will be true of any combat in the Formosa Straits.

The Kuang Hua VI is 180 tons, has a top speed of 66 kilometers per hour and is equipped with four Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles and two 20-millimeter cannon. This ship is designed for reduced radar and infrared signatures, which enable it to carry out its role as a small, cheap, and potent ship-killer. The Hsiung Feng II has a range of 170 kilometers and has a 419-pound warhead. Taiwan will be spending $293 million for these vessels. The total of 120 anti-ship missiles will be a potent force against most of the older Luda-class destroyers and Jianghu-class frigates in the Chinese navy.

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