Taiwan has resumed work on the Republic of China (ROC) Navy’s next-generation frigate program, which had been stalled for several years.
The 2026 budget of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) was partially disclosed in late October, allocating NT$142.03 million (US$4.4 million) for the design and evaluation of the next-generation combatant, a 6,000-ton vessel, according to a report by LTN.
The ROC Navy has issued a public call for proposals for “professional services for the design and evaluation of the next-generation combatant” on the government’s official procurement platform.
From Original Concept to Lighter Frigate Development
The next-generation frigate was part of the ambitious 12-item force development plan unveiled by the ROC Navy in 2016. The initial goal was to build a 4,500-ton vessel equipped with an electronically scanned array (ESA) radar system.
The ROC Navy submitted its request to the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the primary armaments developer under the Ministry of National Defense. However, the project stalled after the Navy revised its requirements to include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system. NCSIST encountered difficulties in developing a compact AESA radar suitable for a 4,500-ton platform.
The program later shifted its focus to two lighter frigates of approximately 2,500 tons to meet the urgent need for Tier 2—or “second-class”—combat ships, which serve as the main workhorses of the ROC Navy.
Possible long-range strike capability
On October 25, UPMedia reported that the Taiwanese Navy plans to equip the next-generation frigate with vertical launch systems (likely the Mk 41) capable of firing Taiwan’s indigenous Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) land-attack cruise missile.
According to UPMedia, the ROC Navy plans to install launch systems for the HF-2E missiles on the aft deck of the Keelung-class destroyers (formerly the U.S. Kidd-class) and integrate the associated control consoles on board. This modification would enable the Keelung-class to conduct long-range strikes against land targets using pre-programmed flight parameters.
Taiwan later purchased MK41 VLS from the U.S. and have tested indigenous Hai Kung III (海弓三型) AAM with MK41, with the experience of upgrading Hai Kung III to fit MK41, NCSIST will keep working on upgrading HF-2E to fit MK41.
Current larger surface combatants of the Taiwan
Taiwan’s navy currently maintains a surface fleet of 25 ships, most of which were commissioned between the 1990s and early 2000s. The fleet comprises four Kee Lung-class destroyers, ten Cheng Kung-class frigates, six Kang Ding-class frigates (based on the French La Fayette-class), and five Chi Yang-class frigates (formerly American Knox-class).
Fifteen of these vessels have been in service for over 25 years, with the Chi Yang-class frigates being especially aged, ranging between 51 and 53 years old. These frigates are equipped with steam turbines, a technology now considered obsolete, and they offer limited air defense capabilities.
