ROCS Cheng Kung (PFG-1101)

History

Taiwan's strong defense partnership with the United States has yielded the Chenggong-class guided missile frigates, a key component of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). Stemming from the Cold War-era collaboration with the US Navy's Oliver Hazzard Perry class frigates, these frigates represent a decades-long close relationship in the realm of military defense.

The first Chenggong-class frigate, ordered in 1989, was constructed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation and officially entered service in 1993. With a proven General Electric LM2500-30 series gas turbine, the frigate achieves a speed of 29 knots and has a displacement of 4100 tons. Manned by a crew of approximately 235, including officers, soldiers, and an Air Force squadron, the vessel is armed with advanced weaponry, including Surface-to-Air Missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft guns, and a Close-In Weapon System.

The frigate's design follows conventional lines, featuring a front-located bridge, an exposed lattice mast, and a low-profile chimney. Additionally, it accommodates a Sikorsky S-70C-1/2 naval helicopter on its helipad, enhancing its operational capabilities for search and rescue as well as anti-submarine warfare. Overall, the ten Chenggong-class frigates play a crucial role in Taiwan's naval defense alongside other vessels in the ROCN fleet.

Specification

BASICS

Years of Service: 1993

Origins: Taiwan

Status: In service

Shipbuilder: China State Shipbuilding Corporation - Taiwan

Carrier: Taiwan

Characters

Sea Bombing

Maritime bombardment/attack of surface targets/areas primarily through ship-based ballistic weapons.

Land Assault

Littoral attacks against surface targets primarily through ship-based missiles/missile weapons.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Airspace Denial/Deterrence

Neutralization or deterrence of flying elements by airborne missile weapon ballistics.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Distinctive Features

Air Defense

Airborne systems warn and protect ships from airborne and low-altitude ballistic and/or missile threats.

On the horizon

The ship is granted over-the-horizon combat capability, usually provided by a launched fixed-wing/rotary-wing aircraft.

Missile weapons

The ship supports long-range missile launches to air, sea or land-based targets; typical of modern design.

Torpedo

Able to launch torpedoes at distant targets.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 453.0 feet (138.07 m)

Ray: 47. 0 feet (14.33 m)

Draft: 22. 0 feet (6.71 m)

Shift: 4,100 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power: 2 x GE LM2500-30 gas turbines with 40,000 hp on 2 x axles aft.

Surface Velocity: 29.0 nodes (33.4 km/h)

Area: 4,519nm (5,200 miles | 8,369 kilometers)

Weapons

1 x 76mm OTO-Melara Dual Purpose (DP) Deck Gun with Turret. The Mk 13 launcher is armed with 40 x SM-1MR surface-to-air missiles (SAM).

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 guns (AA).

1 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). 2 x Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes.

Aircraft

1 x Sikorsky S-70C-1/2 Navy helicopter, supported by a stern helipad.