The frigates Taiwan bought from France were new-construction, to be outfitted with weapons in Taiwan (some weapons systems are different from those on the ones built for France).

The Kang Ding Class are La Fayette Class frigates built for the Taiwanese Navy. In 1992, the Taiwanese government contracted with prime contractor Thales (formerly Thomson CSF), arranging for the construction of six ships. Weapons assembly was to take place in Taiwan, carried out by the China SB Corporation at Kaohsiung.

The frigates were constructed at French state shipbuilder DCN’s Lorient Naval Dockyard. The first ship, the Kang Ding, arrived at Taiwan’s Tsoyng naval base in May 1996; the final frigate of the six, Chan Te, was launched in August 1996, and was commissioned for service with the Republic of China Navy in January 1998.

Hulls include: Kang Ding (1202), which was commissioned in June 1996, Si Ning (1203), in September 1996, Wu Chang (1205), in December 1997, Di Hua (1206), in August 1997, Kun Ming (1207), in August 1998 and Chen Te (1209), in January 1998.

KANG DING DESIGN

The Kang Ding Class frigates are modelled on the French La Fayette Class design, but differ in both structure and weapons systems. Its anti-submarine capability has been considerably enhanced and additional guns have also been fitted. The ship is designed to carry one Sikorsky S-70C(M)1 ASW helicopter.