Taiwan Shipbuilder Lays Keel for Navy’s New AAW Frigate

The event was commanded by Taiwan’s Head of state, Lai Ching-te (賴清德), gone along with by elderly authorities and regional political leaders. Amongst those present were National Safety and security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Protection Preacher Wellington Koo (顧立雄), Navy Principal Admiral Flavor Hua (唐華), and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁).

Head of state Lai applauded the progression made in Taiwan’s residential shipbuilding initiatives and revealed thankfulness to all factors, consisting of Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Team, the Ministry of National Protection, the Navy, and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Scientific Research and Innovation (NCSIST), for their devotion. The head of state highlighted that their job not just breakthroughs Taiwan’s protection capacities however likewise sustains nationwide market development, noting brand-new turning points for protection.

Taiwan’s New Generation Frigate Program

The brand-new generation frigate becomes part of the 12-item force-building strategy revealed by the Republic of China (ROC) Navy in 2016. The first purpose was to create a 4,500-ton vessel furnished with online checked range (ESA) radar systems. The ROC Navy sent its demands to NCSIST; nevertheless, the task delayed when the Navy modified its specs to consist of an energetic ESA radar system. NCSIST encountered difficulties in creating a portable energetic ESA radar ideal for a 4,500-ton vessel.

The program’s emphasis later on changed from constructing a solitary 4,500-ton frigate to creating 2 lighter, about 2,500-ton frigates to fulfill the immediate demand for tracking Chinese marine task and changing the aging Knox-class frigates. This brand-new strategy consists of 2 versions: one for air protection and the various other for anti-submarine war. The building of the brand-new anti-submarine war (ASW) light frigate started in January 2024.

There are likewise records recommending a possible rebirth of the first large-frigate strategy, with strategies to gear up the vessel with a U.S.-made AN/SPY -7 energetic phased range radar. Nevertheless, no appropriate allotments were located in Taiwan’s FY 2025 protection spending plan demand.

Taiwan’s Present Big Surface area Contenders

Taiwan’s navy presently preserves a surface area fleet of 26 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 6 Chi Yang-class frigates (previously American Knox-class).

Fifteen of these vessels have actually remained in solution for over 25 years, with the 6 Chi Yang-class frigates being specifically aged, varying in between 47 and 51 years of ages. These frigates are furnished with heavy steam generators, an innovation currently taken into consideration outdated, and they use restricted air protection capacities.

The article Taiwan Shipbuilder Lays Keel for Navy’s New AAW Frigate showed up initially on Naval News.