ROCS Si Ning

ROCS Si Ning (PFG-1203) is a Kang Ding-class frigate of the Republic of China Navy.

ROCS Si Ning at Zuoying Naval Base on 23 November 2014
History
Taiwan
Name:
  • Si Ning
  • (西寧)
Namesake: Si Ning
Builder: DCNS, Lorient
Laid down: 14 March 1994
Launched: 5 November 1994
Acquired: 1996
Commissioned: 5 October 1996
Homeport: Zuoying
Identification: Pennant number: PFG-1203
Status: Active
General characteristics
Class and type: Kang Ding-class frigate
Displacement: 3,200 tonnes, 3,800 tonnes fully loaded
Length: 125 m (410 ft)
Beam: 15.4 m (51 ft)
Draught: 4.1 m (13 ft)
Propulsion: 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)
Speed: 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range:
  • 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • 9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Endurance: 50 days of food
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 × ETN boats
Capacity: 350 tonnes of fuel, 80 m³ of kerosene, 60 tonnes of potable water
Complement:
  • 12 officers
  • 68 petty officers
  • 61 men
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:
Armour: On sensitive areas (munition magazine and control centre)
Aircraft carried: 1 × Sikorsky S-70C (M)
Aviation facilities: Hangar and helipad

Development and design

As the ROC (Taiwan)'s defensive stance is aimed towards the Taiwan Strait, the ROC Navy is constantly seeking to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The US$1.75 billion agreement with France in the early 1990s was an example of this procurement strategy,[1] the six ships are configured for both ASW and surface attack. The Exocet was replaced by Taiwan-developed Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile and the AAW weapon is the Sea Chaparral. The main gun is an Oto Melara 76 mm/62 mk 75 gun, similar to its Singaporean counterparts, the Formidable-class frigates. Some problems in the integration of Taiwanese and French systems had been reported. The frigate carries a single Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 ASW helicopter.

The Sea Chaparral SAM system is considered inadequate for defense against aircraft and anti-ship missiles, so the ROC (Taiwan) Navy plans to upgrade its air-defense capabilities with the indigenous TC-2N in 2020.[2] The AMRAAM missiles will be quad-packed in a vertical launch system for future ROCN surface combatants,[3] but a less-risky alternative arrangement of above-deck, fixed oblique launchers is seen as more likely for upgrading these French-built frigates.

Construction and career

Si Ning was launched on 5 November 1994 at the DCNS in Lorient. Commissioned on 5 October 1996.

In 2017, she participated in the annual Dunmu Voyage Training Detachment of the Republic of China Navy. ROCS Pan Shi warship served as the flagship for Si Ning and ROCS Zhang Qian warships. From February 25 to March 14, they visited Kaohsiung, Anping, Magong, Taichung, and Keelung, Suao, Hualien and other ports are open for public visits. For the first time, the head of state will see off in person. Cheering for the officers and soldiers who are about to go abroad to promote the relief of overseas Chinese and the team led by Major General Jiang Zhengguo visited the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Palau during the period.[4]

On 4 August 2018, Tang Huosheng, deputy chief executive of the Central Joint Service Center of the Executive Yuan, led a visit the Si Ning.[5]

On 22 March 2019, the National Defense Intellectual Tour and the Dunkin Good-Neighborly Open Tour, Si Ning warship berthed at Taipei Port for the first time which she arrived on 21 March.

  • ROCS Si Ning at Zuoying Naval Base on 23 November 2014.
  • ROCS Si Ning's helipad on 16 March 2015.
  • ROCS Si Ning's hanger on 16 March 2015.
  • ROCS Si Ning's hanger on 16 March 2015.
  • ROCS Si Ning's MIM-72C on 16 March 2015.
  • ROCS Si Ning at Keelung Naval Base on 9 March 2017.

References
  1. "France authorizes frigate sale to Taiwan". Defense Daily. 2 October 1991. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
  2. "La Fayette frigates' missile upgrade set for 2017". Focus Taiwan. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2015. (subscription required)
  3. Lundquist, Edward H. "Interview with Adm. Richard Chen, Republic of China Navy (Ret.)". www.defensemedianetwork.com. Defense Media Network. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  4. 中時新聞網. "敦睦艦隊遠航友邦 蔡總統將登艦送行 - 政治". 中時新聞網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  5. "青年日報". www.ydn.com.tw. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
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