TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Navy has pushed back the delivery date for two light frigate prototypes to 2027.
The ships were originally scheduled for delivery in 2026, but due to a global shortage of main propulsion systems, contractors have notified Taiwan of delays, Liberty Times reported. The prototypes include one air defense variant and one anti-submarine warfare variant, both currently under construction by domestic shipbuilders. The total project includes 10 additional light frigates and costs NT$24.549 billion (US$766 million).
The follow-on air defense vessels will be adjusted to about 96 meters in length and 21 meters in beam. The follow-on ASW vessels have been lengthened to about 116 meters and 14 meters in beam.
The air defense variant will use a vertical launch system carrying 32 Sea Sword II surface-to-air missiles. The anti-submarine variant will use inclined launchers for 16 Sea Sword II missiles, supplemented by anti-submarine torpedoes and a towed sonar system.
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is serving as the systems integrator and is responsible for the procurement and integration of combat systems. Seven major externally sourced systems, including the combat management system, have all been contracted and approved for export, meeting construction schedule requirements. Testing of the 76mm naval gun has been completed, while six other systems, including the combat management system and a 3D phased-array radar, are still undergoing testing.
