Taiwan Resumes Work on Next-Generation 6,000-Ton Frigate Program

Taiwan has actually returned to service the Republic of China (ROC) Navy’s next-generation frigate program, which had actually been delayed for a number of years.

The 2026 spending plan of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Protection (MND) was partly revealed in late October, designating NT$ 142.03 million (US$ 4.4 million) for the layout and analysis of the next-generation contender, a 6,000-ton vessel, according to a report by LTN.

The ROC Navy has actually released a public ask for propositions for “expert solutions for the layout and analysis of the next-generation contender” on the federal government’s main purchase system.

From Initial Principle to Lighter In Weight Frigate Advancement

The next-generation frigate belonged to the enthusiastic 12-item pressure advancement strategy revealed by the ROC Navy in 2016. The first objective was to construct a 4,500-ton vessel furnished with an online checked range (ESA) radar system.

The ROC Navy sent its demand to the National Chung-Shan Institute of Scientific Research and Modern Technology (NCSIST), the main weaponries designer under the Ministry of National Protection. Nevertheless, the job delayed after the Navy changed its needs to consist of an energetic digitally checked range (AESA) radar system. NCSIST ran into troubles in establishing a portable AESA radar appropriate for a 4,500-ton system.

The program later on moved its emphasis to 2 lighter frigates of roughly 2,500 lots to fulfill the immediate demand for Rate 2– or “second-class”– fight ships, which function as the primary workhorses of the ROC Navy.

Feasible long-range strike capacity

On October 25, UPMedia reported that the Taiwanese Navy strategies to furnish the next-generation frigate with upright launch systems (most likely the Mk 41) with the ability of shooting Taiwan’s native Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) land-attack cruise ship projectile.

According to UPMedia, the ROC Navy prepares to set up launch systems for the HF-2E rockets on the aft deck of the Keelung– course destroyers (previously the united state Kidd– course) and incorporate the linked control gaming consoles aboard. This adjustment would certainly allow the Keelung– course to carry out long-range strikes versus land targets utilizing pre-programmed trip criteria.

Taiwan later on bought MK41 VLS from the united state and have actually evaluated native Hai Kung III (海弓三型) AAM with MK41, with the experience of updating Hai Kung III to fit MK41, NCSIST will certainly maintain dealing with updating HF-2E to fit MK41.

Existing bigger surface area fighters of the Taiwan

Taiwan’s navy presently keeps a surface area fleet of 25 ships, the majority of which were appointed in between the 1990s and very early 2000s. The fleet makes up 4 Kee Lung-class destroyers, 10 Cheng Kung-class frigates, 6 Kang Ding-class frigates (based upon the French La Fayette-class), and 5 Chi Yang-class frigates (previously American Knox-class).

Fifteen of these vessels have actually remained in solution for over 25 years, with the Chi Yang-class frigates being specifically aged, varying in between 51 and 53 years of ages. These frigates are furnished with heavy steam wind turbines, a modern technology currently taken into consideration out-of-date, and they supply restricted air protection capacities.

The message Taiwan Resumes Work on Next-Generation 6,000-Ton Frigate Program showed up initially on Naval News.