Taiwanese shipbuilder Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Group has held a keel-laying ceremony in Kaohsiung for the construction of the Republic of China Navy’s light-class air defense frigate prototype.
The event is part of the East Asian country’s effort to acquire 12 locally-developed “workhorse” frigates to replace its aging Chun Yang-class (second-hand US Knox-class) and La Fayette-class frigates.
Each system in the incoming fleet will have a common weight of 2,500 tons and be divided into two configurations: an anti-aircraft and an anti-submarine variant.
“This is the steady progress of national shipbuilding and Taiwan’s firm belief in national defense independence,” a social media post from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s office said.
“In the past few years, the government has vigorously promoted national shipbuilding, encouraged the investment of industry officials and research, jointly enhanced the overall strength of the defense industry, promoted industrial development, and continued to set a new milestone for “national defense independence.”
The Republic of China Navy currently employs 26 surface vessels, mostly inducted until the early 2000s.
President @ChingteLai today attended the keel-laying ceremony for the #ROCN’s new light frigate prototype at Kaohsiung shipyard, marking a milestone in the nation's self-defense efforts and defense industry development. pic.twitter.com/oo9llXXocW
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) November 4, 2024
Specifications
The light frigates will be armed with missiles produced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The vessel will also integrate “advanced scouting, torch and battle management systems” to enhance maritime dominance.
A previous report by Naval News stated that the fleet will have Sea Oryx lightweight infrared short-range air defense systems, Phalanx automated close-in guns, cruise missile launchers, torpedo launchers, and towed depth sonars.
The ships will also incorporate Lockheed Martin Canada’s combat management solution, BAE Systems’ Artisan radar, and either Rolls-Royce MT30 or General Electric LM25000 engines.
