The Taiwanese Navy has launched its first stealth missile ship squadron at Tsoying naval base in southern Taiwan to strengthen the island’s combat capabilities.

The new missile ship squadron comprises ten boats, each equipped with four Hsiung Feng II ship-to-ship missiles with a range of 150km.

The navy currently operates 50t Seagull Class boats, which will be replaced by the 186t Kuang Hwa Six boats with enhanced combat capabilities.

The 34m-long Kuang Hwa Six vessels feature stealth technology to reduce the reflection of radar waves and can cruise at a maximum speed of 33 knots.

Taiwan has contracted China Shipbuilding Corporation to build a total of 30 vessels, of which 12 have been delivered to the navy since construction began in 2003.

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