DEFENSE/Upgraded frigate equipped with advanced missiles, radar system: Expert

Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) The Taiwan Navy's newly upgraded Kang Ding-class frigate is equipped with more advanced missiles and radar systems, significantly enhancing the warship's surveillance and combat capabilities, a local defense expert said Sunday.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a division director at the military-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told CNA that the upgrades to the Kang Ding-class frigates include replacing the existing two-dimensional radar with the more advanced three-dimensional Type 997 Artisan radar developed by BAE Systems.

The 3D Artisan radar has a longer surveillance range and is capable of tracking more than 200 targets at once, giving the Taiwanese warship more precise vision and faster responsive capabilities, Su told CNA.

Meanwhile, as part of the upgrade, the Navy has also replaced its existing RIM-72C Sea Chaparral SAM system with the locally developed Hua Yang vertical launch system (華陽垂直發射系統), according to Su.

The Hua Yang system developed by the military's top research unit, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), is capable of launching up to 32 Tien Chien-2N, a medium-range air defense missile also developed by the NCSIST, he added.

The Tien Chien-2N has a minimum range of 30-40 kilometers, compared to the 8 km of the Sea Chaparral SAM system, he said.

In sum, the upgrades give the warship 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 the above-mentioned system upgrades, the Chen De (承德, PFG-1208), was spotted undergoing sea trials on July 28.

However, 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 required trials.

Taiwan currently has a total of six Kang Ding-class frigates, formerly the French La Fayette-class warship.

The country's military is spending NT$43.1 billion (US$1.45 billion) to upgrade the six warships from 2022-2030.

Following the upgrade of the Chen De, the Navy will upgrade the remaining five Kang-Ding class warships one vessel per year.