According to information publihsed by CNA on February 16, 2024, Taiwan and France have inked a contract worth NT$2.49 billion for combat system components and parts to maintain the operational capabilities of Taiwan’s Lafayette-class frigates amid increasing military pressures from China.
The procurement, facilitated by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry’s European procurement group, aims to ensure the frigates remain a potent force against threats, particularly in light of China’s continued military maneuvers around Taiwan, including frequent crossings of the median line of the Taiwan Strait and incursions into the southwestern air defense identification zone.
The contract focuses on the supply of essential parts for the ship’s combat systems, with the execution period set from January 18, 2021, to January 18, 2023, in Kaohsiung City.
This move is part of Taiwan’s broader defense strategy to sustain its naval assets’ readiness against potential aggression. The Lafayette-class frigates, originally based on the French Navy’s design, are crucial for Taiwan’s maritime defense, performing tasks ranging from air defense and anti-submarine operations to convoy escort and surface warfare.