6,000-ton warship to counter Chinese aggression: Taiwan to get frigates

Taiwan has resumed its next-generation frigate program, known as the “Zhenhai Project,” to strengthen its navy amid increasing military pressure from China. The Ministry of National Defense approved restarting contract design work for powerful 6,000-ton-class frigates equipped with advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems, comparable to the US Aegis combat system. These frigates will feature enhanced command and control capabilities for surveillance, reconnaissance, and long-range missions, addressing the need to counter frequent Chinese military exercises and incursions near Taiwanese borders. The project had been stalled due to technical challenges in developing compact AESA radar suitable for the initially planned 4,500-ton vessels. Taiwan now plans to outsource the design contract to a domestic firm experienced in ship design, aiming to build prototypes with increased displacement over 6,000 tons. The frigates are expected to carry vertical launch systems capable of deploying land-attack cruise missiles, enhancing Taiwan’s maritime defense and force deployment flexibility. This development comes