Taipei: The Taiwan Navy’s newly upgraded Kang Ding-class frigate is now equipped with cutting-edge missiles and radar systems, enhancing its surveillance and combat capabilities significantly, a local defense expert revealed on Sunday. Su Tzu-yun, a division director at the military-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, highlighted the technological advancements made to the Kang Ding-class frigates, which include the installation of the sophisticated three-dimensional Type 997 Artisan radar developed by BAE Systems.
According to Focus Taiwan, the 3D Artisan radar extends the vessel’s surveillance range and can track over 200 targets simultaneously, providing the Taiwanese warship with enhanced precision and quicker response capabilities. As part of the upgrades, the Navy replaced its RIM-72C Sea Chaparral SAM system with the locally developed Hua Yang vertical launch system.
The Hua Yang system, crafted by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), can launch up to 32 Tien Chien-2N medium-range air defense missiles, also developed by NCSIST. These missiles boast a minimum range of 30-40 kilometers, a substantial improvement over the Sea Chaparral SAM system’s 8 km range. Overall, these enhancements equip the warship with longer weapons range, quicker response times, and improved surveillance capabilities, bolstering the defense of Taiwan’s waters.
Su commented on these developments after the Chen De (PFG-1208), the first Kang Ding-class frigate to receive these upgrades, was recently seen undergoing sea trials. However, the Navy has yet to officially confirm these reported trials. According to the Navy’s schedule, the Chen De is expected to rejoin the fleet by the year’s end following the completion of the necessary trials.
Currently, Taiwan possesses six Kang Ding-class frigates, initially known as the French La Fayette-class warships. The military has allocated NT$43.1 billion (US$1.45 billion) for the upgrade of these six warships from 2022 to 2030. Following the upgrade of the Chen De, the Navy plans to enhance the remaining five Kang Ding-class warships at the rate of one vessel per year.