Kang Ding-class

Summary

Description

The Kang Ding-class frigate is a Taiwanese naval ship based on the French La Fayette-class frigate, constructed by DCNS to upgrade the Republic of China Navy's (Taiwan) anti-submarine and surface attack capabilities. This procurement, valued at US$1.75 billion in the early 1990s, sought to enhance Taiwan's defenses, particularly in the Taiwan Strait.

These frigates are designed with a focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface attacks. Initially equipped with the Exocet anti-ship missile, the frigates now utilize the Taiwan-developed Hsiung Feng II missile for surface attack while the Sea Chaparral serves as the anti-air weapon. The primary gun system is an Oto Melara 76mm/62 Mk 75 gun, which shares similarities with the weaponry of the Formidable-class frigates used by Singapore. Each of the ships carries a Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 ASW helicopter. Despite facing challenges in integrating Taiwanese and French systems, the class's Mk 75 main guns have seen improvements with upgraded firing rates.

Addressing the inadequacy of the Sea Chaparral SAM system, plans were made to implement improvements to the air-defense system by 2020, with intended integration of indigenous TC-2N missiles. However, a more cautious approach involving less complex, above-deck launchers may likely be applied to upgrade the frigates' capabilities. In 2021, plans emerged to further modernize the air defense and combat systems, following the enhancement of the decoy launching systems under a 2020 contract.

The Kang Ding-class has encountered controversy with its procurement process. The infamous Taiwan frigate scandal involved political turmoil and alleged corruption, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals under questionable circumstances and international legal disputes. Following incidents of kickbacks and frozen Swiss bank accounts, legal actions against companies and individuals returned significant funds to Taiwan as restitution.

Technical specifications