Taiwan Navy News and Developments

[Ananda]

but still its unclear from where the Taiwanese get their expertise/ToT to build new submarines from.

Actually there're several Naval "consultants" that can be used by Taiwan on helping them for this Submarine projects. That's from what can be seen are some of the way Taiwanese uses on getting foreign suppliers help for their domestic industry defense tech.

Direct co-op with Taiwanese Domestic Defense Industry off course will get risk on Chinese market closure. However using 'third' parties as indirect tech provider can work around that. Look at their indigenous light fighter, in my opinion it clearly shown Northrop influence. However no official Northrop co-op when Taiwan developed that.

Taiwan according some media already prepared their indigenous Submarine projects perhaps since early 2000, when it's clear to them Netherlands Ship Yard did not want to help them getting Walrus based Submarine.

Taiwan shipyard tech also quite advance in capabilities. When you have budget to do it there's way to get around trade embargo (in this case China). After all if Iran with much less cash reserve can circumstances US embargo in developing their own submarine design, then Taiwan (which still has de facto US support) certainly can also find away to circumstances China.

 

[swerve]

For Taiwan’s sake, in addition to the build plan for 8 submarines, I remain hopeful for their planned local build programs for four frigates/destroyers, 10 to 15 3,000-ton catamaran frigates, and amphibious transport docks to replace 11 dock landing ships and tank landing ships.

Why new amphibious ships? The Taiwanese navy traditionally had a lot of amphibious capability because of the dream of reconquering the mainland. I don't think Taiwan still thinks in those terms.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Why new amphibious ships? The Taiwanese navy traditionally had a lot of amphibious capability because of the dream of reconquering the mainland. I don't think Taiwan still thinks in those terms.

I expect there's two reasons. First, it makes it easier for Taiwan to reinforce the islands in the SCS it controls. Second, it allows Taiwan to ferry troops to important outer islands like Penghu in case of a Chinese invasion. Although Taiwan couldn't hold the PLA off indefinitely, the longer it denied China control of them the more time it would have to bleed the PLAN dry and improve its chances of an overall victory.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company, CSBC Corporation held its investor’s conference on 4 December 2020, and on that conference they showed their newest design of a new stealth frigate. It looks like a decent design, but it seems that the Taiwanese Navy plans for a larger ship...

Taiwan’s CSBS Unveils New Frigate Design for ROC Navy - Naval News

Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company, CSBC Corporation held its investor’s conference on December 4, 2020. The image of a new Frigate (FFG) design was featured during the conference. CSBC revealed its plan to become the contractor of the Republic of China (ROC) Navy, Coast Guard and other...

www.navalnews.com

 

[Atlantic Realm]

Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company, CSBC Corporation held its investor’s conference on 4 December 2020, and on that conference they showed their newest design of a new stealth frigate. It looks like a decent design, but it seems that the Taiwanese Navy plans for a larger ship...

Taiwan’s CSBS Unveils New Frigate Design for ROC Navy - Naval News

Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company, CSBC Corporation held its investor’s conference on December 4, 2020. The image of a new Frigate (FFG) design was featured during the conference. CSBC revealed its plan to become the contractor of the Republic of China (ROC) Navy, Coast Guard and other...

www.navalnews.com

Report seems to convey doubt that Taiwan can build a large ship. It bears mentioning that there was widespread doubt about Taiwan’s ability to build submarines.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Report seems to convey doubt that Taiwan can build a large ship. It bears mentioning that there was widespread doubt about Taiwan’s ability to build submarines.

Depends what you mean by "large". Taiwan built modified Perry-class frigates, which aren't a lot smaller than the new frigate design.

The problem Taiwan has is that the new radar it built was too heavy for the current design. So Taiwan will need to either increase the displacement of the frigate by another 500 tons or so, find another country willing to sell a lighter radar or try to redesign the domestic system. I don't think increasing the design to 5000 tons is beyond Taiwan's capabilities, it's more an issue of whether the increased cost would be acceptable.

 

[swerve]

Report seems to convey doubt that Taiwan can build a large ship. It bears mentioning that there was widespread doubt about Taiwan’s ability to build submarines.

Taiwan was building 36,000 dwt tankers 60 years ago. It's built much bigger ships since (e.g. 8000 TEU+ container ships), & many of them. It has a considerable shipbuilding industry centred on Kaohsiung, with a large cluster of supporting industries. The biggest shipbuilder has a 950 metre graving dock, a 380 metre dock, & two 275 metre docks.

The only question with warships, as with submarines, is about the ability of Taiwanese industry to build specialised vessels of adequate quality. It builds coastguard patrol vessels up to 4000 tons, but it's almost 20 years since the last licence-built Perry was commissioned.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Taiwan launches first improved Tuo Chiang-class fast missile corvette

Taiwan’s Lungteh Shipbuilding has launched the first improved variant of the Tuo Chiang (also spelled Tuo Jiang) class of fast missile corvettes for the Republic of...

www.janes.com

The naval vessel on the first (upper) picture is not the new corvet, but a fast minelaying boat

Taiwanese Navy launches first indigenous fast mine-laying boat

On August 4 2020, the Taiwanese Navy held a launching ceremony for Taiwan’s first indigenously-built fast mine-laying boat as well as a keel-laying ceremony for the second of four minelayers that are part of the Taiwanese government’s indigenous shipbuilding project.

www.navyrecognition.com

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

US clears export of sonars for local subs - Taipei Times

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

www.taipeitimes.com

A largely boring article about legislative arguments on whether to freeze parts of the defence budget, but in short:

1. There was a very minor cut to the defence budget ($17 million) on preliminary view;
2. There has been a proposal to freeze a larger but still small portion ($180 million);
3. The Taiwanese government have said that the US has now issued/approved exports licences for the new submarine sonars, which do not require a DSCA notification; and
4. The DPP legislative caucus have been urged to reject the proposed freeze on the basis it's no longer relevant (previously linked to claims from Opposition legislators that the export licences wouldn't be granted soon). Given the DPP has a legislative majority they can choose to reject the freeze if they wish.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Regarding the above, the defence budget was largely passed with only very minor cuts (3% on military equipment and facilities), so I expect the submarine budget is largely intact.

Progress in Lafayette case: ministry - Taipei Times

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

www.taipeitimes.com

Nearly $266 million will be returned to Taiwan by Switzerland, but the rest of the money held there may be unfrozen as it couldn't be shown the balance was linked to corruption.

 

[76mmGuns]

Does anyone know where Taiwan is getting it's naval guns from? The Tuo Chiang corvette is armed with a 76mm gun. Does Taiwan reverse engineer the guns, or did Italy risk the CCP's wrath and directly sell the 76mm to Taiwan?

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Taiwan to Upgrade its La Fayette Frigates with new Air Defense & Combat Systems - Naval News

Taiwanese media reported in mid-February that the Republic of China (ROC) Navy will start upgrading the air defense and combat systems of its 6 La Fayette type, Kang Ding-class, frigates from 2022.

www.navalnews.com

According to this article the upgrade program for the on the La Fayette Class based Kang Ding-class frigates will start from 2022. Thomson-CSF/Thales has won the contract, but it seems that Taiwan will use an own version of the Mk.41 VLS or something.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Key components for Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine approved by USA for export

According to information published by Taiwan News on March 16, 2021, key technologies necessary for Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine that are unavailable in the country have received the necessary export licenses, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正).

www.navyrecognition.com

The project, which saw construction start last November, requires components and technologies that were color-coded green, yellow, and red according to the difficulty of acquiring them. The “red zone” elements cannot be produced in Taiwan and must be imported, opening the country to the threat of interference by China.

However, Chiu confirmed media reports that all necessary export licenses have been acquired for the remaining key components: an integrated combatsystem from Lockheed Martin and a digital sonar system from Raytheon, the Liberty Times reported.

Further to previous reports on the submarines, it now looks like all the items Taiwan cannot produce have been approved for sale. That leaves items it can easily import/already produce, or can produce at extra expense to get around international customers being reluctant to sell. This suggests that the last major hurdle for components has gone, so it's now going to depend on how smooth the construction process is.

This news also probably means that the budget freeze proposed by the legislative earlier this year is now redundant.

 

[CheeZe]

Taiwan has acknowledged that "European nations" are assisting in its submarine program.
Taiwan says European countries helping with submarine project (msn.com)

This will be interesting to follow as it makes one wonder which systems are being developed in conjunction and how much involvement is being given.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Taiwan's First LPD Launched by Local Shipbuilder CSBC - Naval News

Taiwan’s naval shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) today launched the country's first ever indigenous landing platform dock (LPD). The 10,000 tons amphibious vessel is set to be delivered to the Republic of China Navy (ROC or Taiwan Navy) in April 2022.

www.navalnews.com

CSBC’s LPD features a modern design, with two enclosed masts which appear similar in concept to the Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensors (AEM/S) found aboard the San Antonio-class (LPD 17) of the U.S. Navy.

With a length of 153 meters, a width of 23 meters and full-load displacement of 10.600 tons, it is smaller than the San Antonio class, but it is still impressive that Taiwan can suddenly come with an own designed (probably with some assistance and ToT from abroad) LPD. Also the high speed of construction is remarkable.

 

[Ananda]

still impressive that Taiwan can suddenly come with an own designed (probably with some assistance and ToT from abroad) LPD. Also the high speed of construction is remarkable.

Taiwan yards already have good capabilities and productivity. In my opinion the speed is still within Taiwan yards productivity. As for design, well seems it showns whose the 'consultant' that they are using.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

President Tsai Ing-wen hosted the delivery ceremony of Chiayi and the naming and launching ceremony of the second Chiayi class patrol ship, Hsinchu (CG5002). She also conducted the bottle tossing for Hsinchu.

During the ceremony, President Tsai said that this is her second visit to CSBC’s Kaohsiung shipyard in the month, last visit was for the launching ceremony of Taiwan’s first LPD (see post #35), and today is for the delivery of OCA’s first 4000-ton class patrol ship. During development these 4000-ton vessels evolved into larger designs, with a displacement of over 5000 ton.

Four 4000-ton class patrol vessels are ordered, and these four vessels are part of a shipbuilding programme of 141 ships in order to enhance the capability of Coast Guard Administration. The programme started in 2018 and scheduled to end in 2027.

Taiwan Coast Guard receives its first Chiayi-class Large Patrol Vessel - Naval News

The Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday received it largest ship to date. The 4000-ton class "Chiayi" (CG5001) finished its 10-month trial and was delivered to the Coast Guard Administration. The second ship in the class was launched on the same day.

www.navalnews.com

 

[OPSSG]

@Sandhi Yudha, the Taiwanese coast guard actually needs 6 vessels of the 125m long Chiayi-class, instead of the bare minimum of 4, to sustain a 24/7, 365 presence on Taiping Island (the largest ‘natural’ island with fresh water) — as the DPP want to present a civilian ‘front’ and have withdrawn the Marines that were formerly stationed there.

At 5,044 tons, the Chiayi-class is well suited to assert a presence, in the unlikely event of another fatal shooting (that occurred on 9 May 2013, involving the Taiwanese fishing boat Guang Da Xing No. 28) and the Taiwanese Coast Guard needed to protect their fishermen against criminals.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Taiwanese Navy Kaohsiung (LCC-1) command ship (ex-USS Dukes County) is recently being used to test the locally developed, shipborne ‘Sea Oryx' short-range, air-defence (SHORAD) system. Kao Hsiung (AGC-1, later LCC-1) was built as USS Duke County LST-735 in 1944 and later sold to Taiwan.

From the outside it looks like a Taiwan's version of the Raytheon RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile system, but the missile used for the Sea Oryx is based on the Tien Chien I.

The ‘Sea Oryx' SHORAD system was first unveiled at the 2015 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE). It incorporates an upgraded naval variant of the Tien Chien I (‘Sky Sword 1') infrared guided air-to-air missile used by the RoC Air Force. The missile design has undergone a number of modifications in recent years, including the addition of four fins to the original four for more stabilisation after launch. The missile has a maximum effective range of 9 km and can reach a maximum altitude of 3 km.

Taiwan testing ship-borne ‘Sea Oryx’ short-range, air-defence system – TaiwanBIZZ

Taiwan testing ship-borne ‘Sea Oryx' short-range, air-defence system

Images have emerged online showing the Republic of China Navy's (RoCN') Kaohsiung (LCC-1) command ship (ex-USS Dukes County) being used to test the locally developed,...

www.janes.com

 

[Ananda]

Taiwan’s First Indigenous Submarine to be Launched Ahead of Schedule - Naval News

July 21,2021, Taiwanese media Liberty Times Net (LTN) reported that the first prototype of Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) is expected to be launched in September 2023.

www.navalnews.com

2023 time schedulle, that for me actually quite impresive considering this is Taiwan first indigenous Submarine. Shown the ability of Taiwan's yard. Seems base on their first batch order for US Mk 48 mod 6 torpedo, this submarine can hold 18 torpedoes. Will be enough for defense on Taiwan straits.

If they can get all four of their present Subs being replaced by this new Submarine. It's already remarkable performance considering the diplomatic limitations that Taiwan face.