A close, decades-long relationship with the United States has given Taiwan closer defense ties with the most powerful military industry in the world. The Cheng-kung-class of guided-missile frigate is just one byproduct, serving the modern Taiwanese Navy known formally as the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). Based in the American Navy's Cold War-era Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate (the long-hulled variety, with all but two built locally under license in Taiwan), the ROCN class is led by ROCS Cheng Kung (PFG2-1101).
The lead-ship was ordered on May 8th, 1989 and constructed to the modified Taiwanese standard by China Shipbuilding Corporation. Her keel was laid down on December 21st, 1990 and she was launched to sea on October 5th, 1991. Formally commissioned on May 7th, 1993, the frigate maintains an active status in the modest ROCN fleet - charged with the island's defense primarily against neighboring China.
The vessel is powered by proven General Electric LM2500-30 series gas turbines developing 40,000 horsepower to twin shafts, propelling the warship to speeds of 29 knots. Dimensions include a running length of 453 feet and a beam of 47 feet. Displacement is 4,100 tons under full loads.
Aboard is an operating crew of approximately 235 that includes 18 officers, nearly 200 enlisted personnel, and an air wing encompassing about 19 flight crew. The warship is outfitted with the AN/SPS-49 air-search radar system was well as the SPS-55 surface-search unit, STIR fire control radar, and SQS-56 sonar set. The Electronic Warfare (EW) suite is comprised of the AN/SLQ-32(V)5 system.
Armament is 1 x 76mm OTO-Melara Dual-Purpose (DP) turreted deck gun, the Mk 13 launcher supporting 40 x SM-1MR (RIM-66 Standard) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), 4 x Hsiung Feng II / HF-3 anti-ship / surface-to-surface supersonic missiles, 2 x 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft (AA) automatic cannons,1 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), and 2 x Mark 32 triple-torpedo tube launchers.
The profile of the warship offers conventional design lines. The bridge sits forward and atop the forward hull superstructure. The mast is of an exposed lattice design and the smoke funnels of a low profile. The helipad is set over the stern section of the ship. At this area is supported a single Sikorsky S-70C-1/2 type navalized helicopter offering over-the-horizon capabilities including Search & Rescue (SAR) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
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ROCS Cheng Kung (PFG-1101); ROCS Cheng Hu (PFG-1103); ROCS Chi Kuang (PFG-1105); ROCS Yueh Fai (PFG-1106); ROCS Tzu I (PFG-1107); ROCS Pan Chao (PFG-1108); ROCS Chang Chien (PFG-1109); ROCS Tian Dan (PFG-1110); ROCS Ming-Chuan (PFG-1112); ROCS Feng Jia (PFG-1115)
Taiwan
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
✓Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
✓Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
✓Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
✓Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
ANTI-AIRCRAFT
Onboard systems alert and protect the vessel from airborne, low-flying airborne threats through ballistic and / or missile weaponry.
OVER-THE-HORIZON
An Over-the-Horizon operational capability is granted to the vessel, typically through launched fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft.
MISSILE ARMAMENT
The vessel supports the launching of missiles against airborne, waterborne, or land-based targets at range; typical of modern designs.
TORPEDOES
Ability to launch torpedoes against ocean-going targets.
Length
453.0 ft 138.07 m
Beam
47.0 ft 14.33 m
Draught
22.0 ft 6.71 m
Displacement
4,100 tons
Installed Power:
2 x General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines developing 40,000 horsepower to 2 x Shafts astern.
Surface Speed
29.0 kts (33.4 mph)
Range
4,519 nm (5,200 mi | 8,369 km)
kts = knots | mph = miles-per-hour | nm = nautical miles | mi = miles | km = kilometers
1 kts = 1.15 mph | 1 nm = 1.15 mi | 1 nm = 1.85 km
1 x 76mm OTO-Melara Dual-Purpose (DP) turreted deck gun.
Mk 13 launcher with 40 x SM-1MR Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs).
4 x Hsuing Feng II anti-ship, surface-to-surface missiles.
4 x HF-4 anti-ship, surface-to-surface missiles.
2 x 40mm L70 Bofors Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns.
1 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).
2 x Mark 32 triple-torpedo tubes.
Supported Types
(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
1 x Sikorsky S-70C-1/2 navy helicopter supported from the stern-based helipad.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective naval campaigns / operations / periods.
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Image from the Republic of China website; Released to the Public.
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Taiwan
