Taiwan’s navy to fortify frigates and woo Romeo
The obsolete Sea Chaparral air defence system on the Kang Ding class will finally be replaced. (Charles Au)
In the coming year, Taiwan has set aside money for new ASW helicopters and to upgrade its relatively toothless frigates.
In the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) submission for its FY2022 budget proposal to parliament this week, the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) is preparing to spend $1.072 billion to replace its Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1 and -2 Thunderhawk helicopters.
The ROCN will invest another $1.54 billion to modernise six Kang Ding-class frigates.
A package of ten MH-60R helicopters will include sonars, sensors, avionics, weapons, training and related equipment. Besides torpedoes, the new Romeos will carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, laser-guided rockets, and door-mounted M60D/M240 7.62mm or GAU-16 12.7mm weapons.
This will elevate ROCN aviation to play its most aggressive
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?]()
How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
-
![How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate]()
How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
-
![US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October]()
US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October
The US Coast Guard is expected to acquire new aircraft, helicopters, vessels and ISR sensors this fiscal year using resources from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
-
![US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months]()
US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
-
![What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future]()
What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
