ROC
Navy started sea trials of its new fast combat support ship AOE 532
"Panshi"
The
Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy (ROC Navy) started the sea trials of
the locally made fast combat support ship AOE 532 "Panshi"
(nammed after a mountain in eastern Taiwan in the hope that it will
be as strong as a rock). The vessel, fully designed in Taiwan, was laid
down at the National Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) shipyad
in Kaoshiung in December 2012, launched in November 2013 and will be
commissioned to the ROC Navy in 2015 following the trials at sea.
The
Republic of China Navy Panshi Fast Combat Support Ship Underway
for its first set of sea trials
The vessel is designed as an AOE, in accordance with
the U.S. Navy hull classification system, which means it is a logistics
ship that will supply oil, ammunition and stores to other ships in a
battle group.
"Panshi" is
196 meters long with a beam of 25.2 meters and a draft of 8.6 meters.
It has a full displacement of 20,859 tons and light displacement of
10,371 tons. . It has a range of 8,000 nautical miles, maximum
speed of 22 knots and the capacity to carry a complement of 165 sailors.
The new ship will help boost Taiwan's combat capability, according to
Chief of General Staff Kao Kuang-chi.
The
Republic of China Navy Panshi Fast Combat Support Ship Underway
for its first set of sea trials
The large helicopter hangar provides permanent basing
of up to three medium helicopters. The ship has been design to be able
to simultaneously replenish two vessels at the same time.
According to
the original models, the class is set to receive a quite unusual heavy
weapons fit for this type of vessel:
1x 76mm OTO Melara compact main gun
2x 20mm Phalanx CIWS
2x 35mm Rheinmetall Millenium guns
2x 30mm cannons turrets
and several .50 cal machine guns