INDO-PACIFIC
Taiwanese Navy Will Construct Two Light Frigate Variants Equipped with Vertical Launch Systems
The Taiwanese shipbuilding company, Jong Shyn CITIC Shipbuilding Group, announced that the first two prototypes of a revised Zhenhai-class light frigate will be built by October 2026. The two prototypes will consist of an anti-ship/surface variant and an anti-air variant. The anti-surface variant will be equipped with the Hsiung Feng III Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM). The anti-air variant will be equipped with the Sea Bow III and Sea Sword II Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). However, the most significant points of the prototype's design are the incorporation of an indigenous Vertical Launch System (VLS) and components of a Combat Management System (CMS) into both frigates.