The navy’s newly upgraded Kang Ding-class frigates are equipped with more advanced missiles and radar systems, significantly enhancing the warship’s surveillance and combat capabilities, a local defense expert said yesterday.
Institute for National Defense and Security Research director Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) said the upgrades to the Kang Ding-class frigates include replacing the two-dimensional radar with three-dimensional Type 997 Artisan radars from BAE Systems.
The Artisan radar has a longer surveillance range and is capable of tracking more than 200 targets at once, giving the warship more precise vision and faster response capabilities, Su said.
Photo: Screenshot from Kaohsiung Port Second Harbor’s live camera via CNA
The navy also replaced its RIM-72C Sea Chaparral SAM system with the locally developed Hua Yang vertical launch system (華陽垂直發射系統), Su said.
The Hua Yang system, developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, is capable of launching up to 32 Tien Chien-2N, a medium-range air defense missile also developed by the institute, he added.
The Tien Chien-2N has a minimum range of 30km to 40km, compared with the 8km of the Sea Chaparral SAM system, he said.
Overall, the upgrades give the warship a longer weapons range, faster responsive capabilities and clearer vision to better defend the country’s waters, he added.
Su made the comments after the first Kang Ding-class frigate to undergo upgrades, the Chen De (承德, PFG-1208), was spotted undergoing sea trials on Monday last week.
The navy has not officially confirmed the round of reported sea trials.
According to the navy’s plan, the Chen De is expected to rejoin the navy before the end of this year, after completing the required trials.
Taiwan has six Kang Ding-class frigates.
The country’s military is spending NT$43.1 billion (US$1.44 billion) to upgrade one Kang Ding-class warship per year until 2030.
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