Taiwan to equip new light frigates with XTR-102A2 20mm remote weapon systems for patrol missions in the Taiwan Strait.

As reported by The Liberty Times on March 7, 2025, the Taiwanese Navy is set to receive the first vessel from its Light Frigate Program before October 2026. The program, which includes both air defense and anti-submarine variants, is progressing according to the schedule set at Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company (JSSC). Military sources confirmed that the new light frigates will be equipped with the XTR-102A2 dual-tube 20mm remote weapon systems for side defense instead of previously considered remote-controlled 30mm autocannons.
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Taiwan’s Light Frigate Program aims to deliver 12 ships to replace the six Jiyang-class frigates, as well as provide a platform optimized for operations in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters. (Picture source: Taiwanese MoD)

The XTR-102 is a close-range 20mm remote weapon system developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). It integrates traditional weapon systems with optoelectronic targeting and remote operation. The system has two primary models: the XTR-101, a single-tube optoelectronic remote-controlled turret, and the XTR-102, a dual-tube variant. The latter has two derivatives: the XTR-102A1 for shore-based installations and the XTR-102A2 for ship-mounted applications. The XTR-102 has been installed across multiple platforms, including those operated by the Republic of China Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The XTR-102A2 uses a dual-tube T-75 20mm machine gun, with a firing rate of 400 to 1,200 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of 2,000 meters. The system features an independent optoelectronic targeting suite, allowing it to operate autonomously. It is designed for engaging small, fast-moving targets, including drones and speedboats. The turret is mounted on the light frigate’s port and starboard sides, providing short-range automated defense. The system is also integrated into the Coast Guard Administration’s 600-ton Anping-class offshore patrol vessels. The XTR-102A2 ship-mounted variant has been deployed on platforms including the Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat and Taiwan’s 4,000-ton Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessel.

Taiwan’s Light Frigate Program was initiated in 2022 due to delays in the Zhenhai Project, one of the 12 shipbuilding plans of the Republic of China Navy which aimed to create a new class of frigates with a 4,500-ton displacement. The lack of sufficient medium and large ships to counter the People’s Liberation Army Navy led to the reallocation of the Zhenhai Project budget toward light frigate construction. The first ship was scheduled to begin construction in 2023, with two configurations: air defense and anti-submarine. The program aims to deliver 12 ships to replace the six Jiyang-class frigates, as well as fill a critical gap in Taiwan’s naval capabilities, providing a platform optimized for operations in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters. The new class of ships will function as versatile assets, capable of responding to gray zone threats, patrolling key maritime routes, escorting supply ships, and supporting military exercises.

The initial design of a light frigate concept was presented at the 2018 Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defense Industry Exhibition. The concept included a 1,400-ton vessel designed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and Taiwan International Shipbuilding. The ship measured 85 meters in length, 13.1 meters in width, and had a draft of 3.2 meters. It featured a displacement of approximately 1,400 tons, two diesel engines, a maximum speed of 30 knots, and a cruising range of 2,200 nautical miles at 12 knots. The vessel was armed with a rotating phased array radar, a 76mm rapid-fire gun, eight anti-ship missiles, and 16 medium- and short-range air defense missiles. It also included anti-submarine torpedoes and the XTR-102A2 twin-tube remote-controlled turret. The types of missiles were unspecified, but animations suggested the presence of Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles and Sea Sword II air defense missiles.

The XTR-102A2 uses a dual-tube T-75 20mm machine gun, with a firing rate of 400 to 1,200 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of 2,000 meters. (Picture source: NCSIST)

In August 2022, Taiwan’s National Defense Budget confirmed that the planned "new generation frigate" with four-sided fixed array radar would be replaced by a smaller 1,500-2,000 ton light frigate utilizing rotating array radar. The budget for the program remained at NT$24.549 billion, with no changes to the implementation schedule. A special report released in October 2022 outlined that the People's Liberation Army Navy's deployment of Type 053H3, Type 054A, and Type 056A missile frigates had necessitated the construction of a 2,500-ton light frigate. The plan called for the air defense prototype to be completed by 2025 and the anti-submarine prototype by 2026. Legislative discussions confirmed that an additional 10 light frigates would follow the two prototype ships.

Following the project approval, a bidding process for the combat system and hull platform was launched. The combat system was entrusted to the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, while the hull construction was opened for domestic competition. The total budget for the two prototype ships was set at NT$20 billion, with NT$4.6 billion allocated for the air defense variant and NT$4.45 billion for the anti-submarine variant. Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company (JSSC) was awarded the construction contract in May 2023, with the contract formally initiated on May 12. The program called for radar stealth design, an aluminum upper structure with a steel lower hull, and integration with the CMS-330 combat management system.

By mid-2023, revisions were made to the ship's design following internal discussions regarding space limitations. The original specifications called for a vessel under 110 meters in length with a displacement of 2,500 tons. However, it was determined that this configuration would not allow for sufficient internal space for future capability enhancements. As a result, the design was adjusted to a displacement of nearly 3,000 tons with a total length approaching 120 meters. The exterior and interior design responsibilities were assigned to a foreign contractor, and Gibbs & Cox was selected to design the hull. The final design resembles a scaled-down version of the U.S. Navy’s Constellation-class frigate.

In the 1990s, the US agreed to transfer eight Knox-class frigates to the Taiwanese Navy, which were later renamed as the Chi Yang-class. (Picture source: Wikimedia/玄史生)

Construction of the air defense variant commenced in November 2023, followed by the anti-submarine variant in January 2024. Additional ceremonies were held in November 2024 for the prototype’s structural assembly at the Xingao Shipyard in Kaohsiung City. The program remains on track for the first two ships to be delivered by the end of October 2026, after which a decision will be made regarding full-scale production of the remaining 10 light frigates.

The ships' specifications include a standard displacement of 2,500 tons and a full load displacement of 3,500 tons. The overall length is 115 meters, with a beam of 15 meters. They utilize a Combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) propulsion system, comprising one GE LM2500+G4 gas turbine engine and two electric propulsion motors. The maximum speed is over 30 knots, and the operational endurance exceeds 2,200 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots. The crew consists of 90 personnel, with a lieutenant colonel as captain.

Each light frigate is equipped with a Mk 75 naval gun, a Phalanx close-in weapon system, and two XTR-102A2 remote-controlled machine guns. The air defense variant has an eight-tube Huayang vertical launch system capable of deploying 32 Sea Sword II air defense missiles. It can carry up to 16 Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles or eight extended-range Hsiung Feng III missiles. The anti-submarine variant includes two eight-tube Sea Sword II missile launchers, up to 16 anti-ship missiles, and two triple-tube Mk 32 surface ship torpedo launchers. The electronic warfare suite consists of two Mk 36 SRBOC jammer launchers and an AN/SLQ-25 torpedo countermeasure system.

The ships feature a Type 997 3D air search radar, a fire control radar, a navigation radar, and a TRAPS towed variable-depth sonar for anti-submarine detection. The combat management system is the CMS-330, integrated with the Xunlian Combat Management System and the Dacheng Tactical Digital Data Link System. The ships have a dedicated flight deck designed to operate an S-70C(M)-1/2 anti-submarine helicopter but do not include a hangar. A shipborne small boat is also part of the standard equipment.