Construction has officially begun on Taiwan’s new domestically produced anti-aircraft frigate with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday.
The new ship is one of two new prototype frigates being built for the navy, the other being an anti-submarine ship. The first anti-aircraft frigate is expected to be completed in 2026.
In her speech, President Tsai said that the groundbreaking prototype proves that Taiwan is continuing to improve its national defense independence. She says the new frigate follows projects such as the Min Jiang-class minelayer in 2021, the newly completed domestic submarine Haikun, and the recently commissioned amphibious transport dock. She says having advanced and reliable ships not only improves national defense but also allows the navy to carry out its missions more safely.
The new frigate is about 115 meters long and 15 meters wide, with a standard displacement of about 2,500 tons, and a full load displacement of 3,000 tons. It is expected to be able to respond effectively to gray zone activities around Taiwan.