The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has announced that it recently completed trials and evaluations of the new medium-range Hai Chien II (‘Sea Sword II') air-defence missile that will arm the improved variant of Taiwan's Tuo Chiang (also spell.
April 1, 2021: Taiwan ran into some legal problems while upgrading its six French built Kang Ding (La Fayette) class frigates. Taiwan is upgrading weapons and electronics, all of which will change the appearance of the Kang Dings. The external appearance is important because the La Fayette is a “stealth” design with few external forms that could make it easier for radar to detect or identify the ship. Removing the Sea Chaparral launcher behind the main gun will improve stealth but the addition of new radars and other sensor will probably complicate the stealth aspect of the ship. One of the differences between the La Fayette and the Kang Ding was that the Taiwan version of the ship left out the 32 (8x4) Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells behind the main gun. On the Kang Ding that was replaced with the deck mounted launcher for four Sea Chaparral anti-aircraft missiles, with eight reload missiles below decks. The eight anti-ship m
Kang Ding-class frigate Di Hua (迪化, PFG-1206) underway. ROC Navy picture. Taiwan to Upgrade its La Fayette Frigates with new Air Defense & Combat Systems Taiwanese media reported in mid-February that the Republic of China (ROC) Navy will start upgrading the air defense and combat systems of its 6 La Fayette type, Kang Ding-class, frigates from 2022. 22 Feb 2021 Upgrade work to focus on new air defense system with the installation of VLS as well as improved combat and electronic warfare systems.
Tso-Juei Hsu story with additional reporting by Xavier Vavasseur.
According to the report by
Up Media, the upgrade program will take 8 years.
Sea Chapparal: An obsolete SAM system