Taiwan is producing two new light patrol ships in response to heightened Chinese military activity surrounding the country. That’s according to Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, who gave a report to the legislature on Wednesday.
Naval authorities say China has maintained a strong military presence around Taiwan in recent months. Taiwan continues to dispatch ships to monitor Chinese naval activity. However, the warships sent on these missions often disproportionately outweigh the Chinese vessels they intercept. This puts a strain on defense resources. Furthermore, intercepting ships are often old and outdated.
Minister Chiu says the navy was already planning to produce new battleships to replace aging vessels, but Beijing’s heightened activity surrounding Taiwan has changed the original plan. The navy says instead of building large battleships, they’re now producing two light patrol vessels with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capabilities.
Chiu says those new patrol ships are set to be finished between 2023 and 2026.