Engineering:Kang Ding-class frigate
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Kang Ding class |
| Builders: | DNCS |
| Operators: |
 Republic of China Navy |
| In commission: | 1996–present |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Active: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | General purpose frigate |
| Displacement: | 3,200 tonnes, 3,800 tonnes fully loaded |
| Length: | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Beam: | 15.4 m (51 ft) |
| Draught: | 4.1 m (13 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW) |
| Speed: | 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Range: |
|
| Endurance: | 50 days of food |
| Boats & landing craft carried: | 2 × ETN boats |
| Capacity: | 350 tonnes of fuel, 80 m³ of kerosene, 60 tonnes of potable water |
| Complement: |
|
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Armament: |
|
| Armour: | On sensitive areas (munition magazine and control centre) |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 × Sikorsky S-70C (M) |
| Aviation facilities: | Hangar and helipad |
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The Kang Ding-class frigate is based on the French Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist. design which were built by DCNS for Taiwan.
Background and design
As the ROC (Taiwan)'s defensive stance is aimed towards the Taiwan Strait, the ROC Navy is constantly seeking to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The US$1.75 billion agreement with France in the early 1990s was an example of this procurement strategy:[1] 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 Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.s. Some problems in the integration of Taiwanese and French systems had been reported. The frigate carries a single Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 ASW helicopter.
The Sea Chaparral SAM system is considered inadequate for defense against aircraft and anti-ship missiles, so the ROCN plans to upgrade its air-defense capabilities with the indigenous TC-2N in 2020.[2] The missiles will be quad-packed in a vertical launch system for future ROCN surface combatants,[3] but a less-risky alternative arrangement of above-deck, fixed oblique launchers is seen as more likely for upgrading these French-built frigates.
In 2021, it was reported that Taiwan would upgrade the frigates of this class with new air defence and combat systems.[4] The upgrades were to begin in 2022 and would follow on the modernization of the ships' decoy launching systems under a contract awarded in 2020.[5] In January 2025, it was reported that the first upgraded frigate would be due September 2025.[6]
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).
The class's Mk 75 main guns have been upgraded and have an improved firing rate of 100 rounds a minute.[7]
Ships in class
| Hull number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFG-1202 | missing name (康定) | DCNS | 1993 | 1994 | 1996 | In active service |
| PFG-1203 | missing name (西寧) | 1994 | 1994 | 1996 | In active service | |
| PFG-1205 | missing name (昆明) | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1206 | missing name (迪化) | 1995 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1207 | missing name (武昌) | 1995 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1208 | missing name (承德) | 1995 | 1996 | 1998 | In active service |
Taiwan frigate scandal
The Taiwan frigate deal was a huge political scandal, both in Taiwan and France.[8] Eight people involved in the contract died in unusual and possibly suspicious circumstances.[9] Arms dealer Andrew Wang fled Taiwan to the UK after the body of presumptive whistleblower Captain Yin Ching-feng was found floating in the sea.[10] In 2001, Swiss authorities froze accounts held by Andrew Wang and his family in connection to the scandal.[11]
In 2003, the Taiwanese Navy sued Thomson-CSF (Thales) to recover the alleged $590 million in kickbacks, paid to French and Taiwanese officials, to grease the 1991 La Fayette deal.[12] The money was deposited in Swiss banks, and under the corruption investigation, Swiss authorities froze approx. $730 million in over 60 accounts. In June 2007, the Swiss returned $34 million from frozen accounts to Taiwan, with additional funds pending.[13]
Andrew Wang died in the UK in 2015 and collection efforts continued against his family.[10] In February 2021, the Federal Department of Justice and Police said that Switzerland will restitute nearly US$266 million to Taiwan.[14]
References
- ↑ "France authorizes frigate sale to Taiwan". Defense Daily. 2 October 1991. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-11323386.html.
- ↑ "La Fayette frigates' missile upgrade set for 2017". Focus Taiwan. 4 November 2013. http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201311040031.aspx.
- ↑ Lundquist, Edward H.. "Interview with Adm. Richard Chen, Republic of China Navy (Ret.)". https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/interview-with-adm-richard-chen-republic-of-china-navy-ret/.
- ↑ https://militaryleak.com/2021/09/01/taiwan-navy-to-equip-kang-ding-class-frigates-with-sea-sword-ii-surface-to-air-missile/ [bare URL]
- ↑ Hsu, Tso-Juei (22 February 2021). "Taiwan To Upgrade Its La Fayette Frigates With New Air Defense & Combat Systems". navalnews.com. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/taiwan-to-upgrade-its-la-fayette-frigates-with-new-air-defense-combat-systems/.
- ↑ Hsu, Tso-Juei (2025-01-21). "Taiwan on track with Kang Ding-class Frigate Upgrade Program". https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/taiwan-on-track-with-kang-ding-class-frigate-upgrade-program/.
- ↑ Chen, Kelvin (27 May 2021). "Taiwan Navy showcases upgraded cannons in live-fire drills". Taiwan News. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4211232.
- ↑ Trueheart, Charles (13 March 1998). "France Embroiled in Scandal du Jour". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/03/13/france-embroiled-in-scandal-du-jour/7e2da294-6508-429b-a828-60224afce1ce/.
- ↑ Schofield, Hugh (1 December 2003). "Book delves into frigate scandal". BBC News. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3244148.stm.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Pan, Jason (15 July 2021). "High Court orders return of illegal proceeds". Taipei Times. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/07/15/2003760882.
- ↑ Kirby, Emma-Jane (2 July 2001). "Swiss target Taiwan arms dealer". BBC. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1417606.stm.
- ↑ "Navy sues French frigate contractor". Taipei Times. 7 November 2003. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/11/07/2003074910.
- ↑ "Lafayette scandal funds returned to Taiwan". Taipei Times. 15 June 2007. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/06/15/2003365270.
- ↑ "Progress made on return of illegal kickbacks in Lafayette Frigate case". 6 February 2021. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4121060.
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