ROCS Wu Chang

ROCS Wu Chang (PFG-1207) is a Kang Ding-class frigate of the Republic of China Navy.

ROCS Wu Chang at Zhongzheng Naval Base on 4 May 2013
History
Taiwan
Name:
  • Wu Chang
  • (武昌)
Namesake: Wu Chang
Builder: DCNS, Lorient
Laid down: 1 July 1995
Launched: 27 November 1995
Acquired: 1997
Commissioned: 16 December 1997
Homeport: Zuoying
Identification: Pennant number: PFG-1207
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

Wu Chang was launched on 27 November 1995 at the DCNS in Lorient. Commissioned on 16 December 1997.

On 31 January 2018, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China conducted the Chinese New Year Strengthened Combat Readiness Exercise at the Zuoying Naval Base, with Wu Chang as its flagship. The Captain Huang Shuqing of the Wuchang warship was the first female captain of a first-class combat ship of the Republic of China Navy.[4]

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. 自由時報電子報 (2018-02-01). "焦點人物》上校黃淑卿 首位一級艦女艦長 - 政治". 自由時報電子報. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
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