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Cheng Kung vs La Fayette

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Specifications
Cheng Kung La Fayette
Origin 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇫🇷 France
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Guided-missile frigate General-purpose frigate
Manufacturer China Shipbuilding Corporation DCNS
Year introduced 1993 1996
Number built 10 units 20 units
Estimated unit price $300 million $325 million
Displacement 4,300 tons 3,200 tons
Maximum speed 29.0 knots 25.0 knots
Range 5,000 nm at 18 knots 9,000 nm at 12 knots
Length 138.8 m 125.0 m
Beam 14.0 m 15.4 m
Crew 235 164
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Cheng Kung La Fayette
Armament
  • 1 × Mk 13 Launcher for RIM-66 Standard MR missiles
  • 2 × triple Mark 32 torpedo tubes with Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedoes
  • 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun
  • 2 × Bofors 40 mm/L70 guns
  • 1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS point defense cannon
  • 2 × Type 75 20 mm/68 caliber guns
  • 4 × Hsiung Feng II SSM
  • 4 × Hsiung Feng III SSM
  • 1 x 100 mm TR automatic gun
  • 2 x 20 mm modèle F2 guns
  • 8 x Exocet MM40 block II anti-ship missiles
  • 1 x Crotale CN2 CIWS
  • 2 x 6 Sadral launchers with Mistral Mk 3 SAM/SSM
  • 2 x 2 manually operated Simbad/Mistral
Propulsion 2 × General Electric LM-2500 gas turbines, 41,000 shp (31,000 kW); 2 × Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 720 hp (540 kW) 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)

Overview

The Cheng Kung and the La Fayette are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 4,300 tons for the Cheng Kung vs 3,200 tons for the La Fayette. The Cheng Kung reaches 29 knots vs 25 knots for the La Fayette. Operational range is 5,000 nautical miles for the Cheng Kung vs 9,000 for the La Fayette. The Cheng Kung carries a crew of 235 vs 164 for the La Fayette.

The Cheng Kung was produced in 10 units vs 20 for the La Fayette. Cost per hull is $300M for the Cheng Kung vs $325M for the La Fayette. The Cheng Kung was commissioned in 1993, 3 years before the La Fayette (1996).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The Cheng Kung-class has greater displacement at 4,300 tons compared to the La Fayette-class's 3,200 tons.
Which is faster, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The Cheng Kung-class is faster with a maximum speed of 29 knots compared to the La Fayette-class's 25 knots.
Which has longer range, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Cheng Kung-class's 5,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The Cheng Kung-class is longer at 138.8 meters compared to the La Fayette-class's 125.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Cheng Kung-class and La Fayette-class have?
The Cheng Kung-class has a larger crew complement of 235 compared to the La Fayette-class's 164 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class is more expensive at approximately $325 million per unit compared to the Cheng Kung-class at $300 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Cheng Kung-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 20 vessels compared to 10 vessels of the Cheng Kung-class.