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 & 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 La Fayette-class frigate design which were built by DCNS for Taiwan.
Background and design
[edit]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 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 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]
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.[6]
Ships in class
[edit]| Hull number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFG-1202 | Kang Ding (康定) | DCNS | 1993 | 1994 | 1996 | In active service |
| PFG-1203 | Si Ning (西寧) | 1994 | 1994 | 1996 | In active service | |
| PFG-1205 | Kun Ming (昆明) | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1206 | Di Hua (迪化) | 1995 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1207 | Wu Chang (武昌) | 1995 | 1995 | 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1208 | Chen De (承德) | 1995 | 1996 | 1998 | In active service |
Taiwan frigate scandal
[edit]The Taiwan frigate deal was a huge political scandal, both in Taiwan and France.[7] Eight people involved in the contract died in unusual and possibly suspicious circumstances.[8] 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.[9] In 2001, Swiss authorities froze accounts held by Andrew Wang and his family in connection to the scandal.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
Andrew Wang died in the UK in 2015 and collection efforts continued against his family.[9] In February 2021, the Federal Department of Justice and Police said that Switzerland will restitute nearly US$266 million to Taiwan.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "France authorizes frigate sale to Taiwan". Defense Daily. 2 October 1991. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ "La Fayette frigates' missile upgrade set for 2017". Focus Taiwan. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ Lundquist, Edward H. "Interview with Adm. Richard Chen, Republic of China Navy (Ret.)". Defense Media Network. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Chen, Kelvin (27 May 2021). "Taiwan Navy showcases upgraded cannons in live-fire drills". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ Trueheart, Charles (13 March 1998). "France Embroiled in Scandal du Jour". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ Schofield, Hugh (1 December 2003). "Book delves into frigate scandal". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ a b Pan, Jason (15 July 2021). "High Court orders return of illegal proceeds". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Kirby, Emma-Jane (2 July 2001). "Swiss target Taiwan arms dealer". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Navy sues French frigate contractor". Taipei Times. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Lafayette scandal funds returned to Taiwan". Taipei Times. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Progress made on return of illegal kickbacks in Lafayette Frigate case". Taiwan News. Central News Agency. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.