According to Taiwanese media, the Taiwan Navy is currently enhancing the capacity of the Kang Ding class under a comprehensive upgrade program.
Taiwan operates a fleet of six Kang Ding-class frigates. The frigates were commissioned between 1996 and 1998 and are being upgraded to suit modern warfare. According to Taiwanese media, the Taiwan Navy is currently enhancing the capacity of the Kang Ding class under a comprehensive upgrade program.
Images circulating on social networks show that the Chengde, with its weapons and radar systems, was almost completely dismantled. Chen De will be the test ship for the ‘Combat System Performance Enhancement’ project and is expected to be equipped with the ‘Hua Yang’ Vertical Launch System (VLS) and 32 Hai Jian II anti-air missiles produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology next year. Once evaluated and confirmed, the upgrades will be applied to all ships.
Regarding the ‘Combat System Performance Enhancement’ project, the plan is to replace the frigates’ outdated combat systems, radars, and anti-air missiles. The ‘Hua Yang’ Vertical Launch System will be installed below the deck at the bow of the ship. The entire project is expected to be completed in stages over nine years.
The Kang Ding-class frigate is based on the French La Fayette-class frigate design which were built by DCNS for Taiwan. The six ships are configured for both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface attack. The Exocet anti-ship missile was replaced by Taiwan-developed Hsiung Feng II missile and the anti-air warfare (AAW) weapon is the Sea Chaparral. The main gun is an Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Mk 75 gun, similar to its Singaporean counterparts, the Formidable-class frigates. The frigate carries a single Sikorsky S-70C ASW helicopter.
The Taiwanese frigates has been in service for 27 years. As the systems no longer meet the current operational needs amidst threats in the Taiwan Strait, the navy has been progressively upgrading and enhancing various systems. The latest photos show that the 76-gun (in A position), air radar in the midsection, and Hsiung Feng series anti-ship missile launchers, as well as the Phalanx CIWS on the stern hangar of Chengde, have all been removed, leaving only the navigation radar in the midsection.
The class’s maximum speed is 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) with a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi).
