Taiwan Coast Guard Launches Final Missile-Capable Anping-Class Ship

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration launched its 12th and final 600-ton Anping-class patrol vessel on May 15 in Kaohsiung.

The vessel, named Donggang (CG-615), was christened at a ceremony held at the Jong Shyn Shipbuilding facility.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling presided over the naming. Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi performed the traditional bottle-smashing ritual to bless the ship.

The Chinese communist regime considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory and has never ruled out using force to bring the island under Beijing’s control.

Kuan said the Coast Guard’s role has expanded beyond traditional law enforcement. It now includes safeguarding sovereignty and protecting the homeland amid growing challenges.

She also said that the Donggang was developed in response to the needs of a new era. In peacetime, it will handle maritime security, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and emergency response.

In a crisis, the ship can join the overall defense system through a wartime transition mechanism and support maritime defense, according to Kuan.

The government started the “Forward-Looking Coast Guard Vessel Construction Plan” in 2018. It aims to build 141 vessels of various types over 10 years, with a total displacement of 33,220 metric tons.

Completion of all 12 Anping-class ships is a major milestone in Taiwan’s indigenous shipbuilding program, Kuan said.

Anping-class vessels are based on a catamaran hull design, offering high speed, strong maneuverability, and the ability to stay at sea for long periods.

Each ship is about 65 meters (213 feet) long and 14.8 meters (48 feet) wide. They can reach a top speed of 40 knots and have a range of about 2,000 nautical miles.

The vessels support long-range patrols, law enforcement, rescue operations, and fisheries protection, and they include space for anti-ship missiles if needed in wartime.

The Donggang will join the eastern region mobile Coast Guard unit. It will help strengthen patrols in Taiwan’s eastern waters.

The name Donggang honors the important fishing port in Pingtung County, which has strong maritime cultural roots.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard frequently deals with gray-zone activities. These include repeated approaches by Chinese vessels that test defenses without becoming open conflict.

The new ships add to the Coast Guard’s capabilities for both daily operations and broader maritime security needs.

The Donggang will enter service after final outfitting and sea trials. It completes one phase of the Coast Guard’s fleet modernization effort.