en en

Frigate ROCN Kang Ding (PFG 1202)

Frigate ROCN Kang Ding (PFG 1202) 0Frigate ROCN Kang Ding (PFG 1202) 1Frigate ROCN Kang Ding (PFG 1202) 2

Classification

Ship class:
Kang Ding-class frigate
Type:
Frigate

Basic information

Operator:
Republic of China Navy (Taiwan)Republic of China Navy (Taiwan)
Country of build:
Builder:
Naval Group (formerly DCNS)Naval Group (formerly DCNS)
Laid down:
Launched:
Commissioned (service):
Status:
Active

Ship measurements

Displacement:
3,200 t
Length:
125 m
Beam:
15.4 m
Draft:
4.1 m

Machine

Propulsion:
  • 4 * diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)
Speed:
25 knots
Range:
4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph), 9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)

Personnel

Complement:
80
Embarked units:
61

Combat assets

Cargo capacity:
  • 350 tonnes of fuel
  • 80 m³ of kerosene
  • 60 tonnes of potable water
Boats & landing craft:
  • 2 * ETN boats
Armor:
  • On sensitive areas (munition magazine and control centre)
Electronics:
  • 1 * CastorII fire control radar
  • 1 * DRBV-26D Jupiter-II two-dimensional air search radar
  • 1 * Poseidon Triton G search radar
  • Najir photoelectric director
  • Alose Sonar System
Armament:
  • 8 * Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles
  • 1 * MIM-72 Chaparral
  • 2 * Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
  • 1 * OTO Melara 76 mm
  • 2 * Bofors 40 mm L70 guns
  • 1 * Phalanx CIWS
Aircraft:
  • 1 * Sikorsky S-70C (M)

ROCS Kang Ding (PFG-1202) is a Kang Ding-class frigate of the Republic of China Navy.

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, the six ships are configured for both ASW and surface attack. The Exocet was replaced by Taiwan-developed Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile and the 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. 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 ROC (Taiwan) Navy plans to upgrade its air-defense capabilities with the indigenous TC-2N in 2020. The AMRAAM missiles will be quad-packed in a vertical launch system for future ROCN surface combatants, but a less-risky alternative arrangement of above-deck, fixed oblique launchers is seen as more likely for upgrading these French-built frigates.

The Kang Ding class was originally intended to be equipped with Aster-15 and Arabel 3D / X-band multi-functional radar. However, due to cost and political difficulties, the upgrade never materalised. However, since 2019 a limited upgrade program has begun. In 2020, ROCN signed a contract to upgrade the DAGIE decoy system to the DAGIE MK2, which will permit the deployment of more advanced decoys and chaff such as SEALEM (RF for distraction and seduction), SEALIR (IR for distraction and seduction) and REM rockets. It was also observed that the Oto Melara 76 mm/62 mk 75 gun was upgraded with a new cupola with angled surfaces for signature reduction. In 2022, a deeper upgrade of the Kang Ding was announced, with the progressive installation of Huayang VLS for the TC-2N missile and upgraded Xunlian command and control systems across the entire fleet by 2025.

No comments yet