Taiwan Unveils Next-Generation Light Frigates to Counter China’s Naval Pressure

Taiwan’s Navy (ROCN) has revealed new details of its Next-Generation Light Frigate program during the TADTE 2025 defense exhibition in Taipei, showcasing scale models of two distinct variants: the Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) version and the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) version. The display underscores Taiwan’s push to strengthen its naval capabilities as China continues to expand military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Why Taiwan Needs These Frigates

Over the past decade, Taiwan has faced increasing levels of “gray-zone” pressure from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including frequent incursions by Chinese military vessels and aircraft. These operations are designed to exhaust Taiwan’s defenses and test its readiness without triggering open conflict.

The new light frigates were designed with these challenges in mind. In peacetime, the ships will patrol Taiwan’s surrounding waters, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, provide limited air-defense coverage, and help protect vital sea lanes. In wartime, their missions expand: monitoring PLA aircraft, breaking potential blockades, carrying out missile strikes, and defending key coastal approaches.

Two Variants, Two Roles

The most visible difference between the two frigate models lies in their weapons:

• The AAW variant carries Taiwan’s domestically developed Hua Yang vertical launch system (VLS), capable of firing Tien Chien-2N (TC-2N) surface-to-air missiles, giving it the ability to defend against hostile aircraft and cruise missiles.

• The ASW variant is tailored to hunt Chinese submarines, which are a growing threat in waters around Taiwan. This version is expected to carry advanced sonar systems, anti-submarine torpedoes, and depth charges, making it essential for protecting Taiwan’s sea lanes from underwater incursions.

Both ships are planned to operate around 2,500 tons—smaller than the originally envisioned 4,500-ton design but better suited for rapid deployment and near-shore defense.

Industrial Effort and Challenges

The ships are being built by Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company (JSSC), Taiwan’s largest private shipbuilder. While the company has prior experience with smaller naval projects, this marks its first attempt to construct a warship of this scale. Reports in Taiwanese media earlier this year suggested the program had faced technical delays, particularly around radar integration, but Navy officials continue to emphasize that progress is on track.

International defense contractors are also indirectly involved. Lockheed Martin has highlighted the frigate as one of the platforms equipped with its CMS-330 Combat Management System, while Gibbs & Cox, an American naval engineering firm, has been linked to aspects of the design.

Comparison with China’s Latest Light Frigates

Taiwan’s new vessels arrive at a time when China has been rapidly expanding its naval fleet. The PLA Navy’s Type 054A frigate, often considered the workhorse of its escort fleet, displaces about 4,000 tons—significantly larger than Taiwan’s planned frigates. The Type 054A is equipped with 32-cell vertical launch systems capable of firing the advanced HQ-16 surface-to-air missile, giving it far longer reach than Taiwan’s TC-2N. It also carries anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, making it a versatile platform.

China is also developing the Type 054B, a more advanced variant believed to include improved radar systems, better engines, and possibly even greater missile capacity. Reports suggest the Type 054B will have enhanced blue-water capability, allowing it to operate far beyond China’s coastal waters.

By comparison, Taiwan’s light frigates are smaller, more agile, and optimized for near-shore defense, rather than extended overseas operations. Their role is to delay, disrupt, and defend against PLA incursions rather than to project power abroad.

Although Taiwan’s frigates may not match China’s larger warships in size or firepower, they fill a crucial gap in Taiwan’s naval structure. As “Tier 2” combat ships, they are designed to carry out the everyday burden of patrol, surveillance, and escort duties, freeing larger destroyers and missile boats for high-intensity operations.

Crucially, these ships also represent self-reliance. By fielding domestically built vessels armed with homegrown missile systems, Taiwan reduces dependence on foreign suppliers—an important factor in wartime when resupply could be disrupted.