Taiwanese government finally releases funds for 1st Hsun Hai class corvette

Cost of 30 million dollars a piece. Series built boats will weigh in at 800-900 tons, but this first unarmed prototype will come in closer to 500. This is the Taiwanese response to the chicom Type 056 I guess, but about half the tonnage. Series built ships will be armed with a crazy 16 ASM missiles, 8 Hsiung Feng III's, and 8 Hsiung Feng II's. They will also carry the standard 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid, and an American Phalanx system -- no RAM. Crew complement will be 45, and there will be space for a heli to land, but no hangar for storing one. Max speed will be 34-38 knots. Plans call for construction of between 7 and 11 ships.