Taiwan Navy retires two Knox-class frigates

Focus Taiwan ^ | 2015/05/01 | Elaine Hou and Lu Hsin-hui

[sukhoi-30mki]

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) Taiwan's Navy decommissioned two of its eight Knox-class frigates Friday with the intention of replacing them with two Perry-class guided missile frigates that is part of a fleet modernization effort.

The two Knox-class vessels were retired from service at a ceremony in the southern city of Kaohsiung, which was presided over by Navy Commander Adm. Li Hsi-ming (李喜明).

It was part of the effort to modernize the Navy's fleet of vessels and enhance the country's maritime defense capabilities.

The Navy plans to decommission all eight of its 4,300-ton Knox-class frigates that were built in the early 1970s and have been in service for more than 40 years.

Before their sale to Taiwan in the mid-1990s, the ships belonged to the U.S. Navy.

Since Taiwan acquired the Knox-class frigates, they have on numerous occasions detected submarines from various countries, which were passing through waters of east Taiwan.

Taiwan's military is planning to use the retired vessels as public art installations, but is still looking for a suitable location, according to a military officer.

Meanwhile, the Navy is preparing to take delivery of two of four Perry-class guided missile frigates that the United States has agreed to sell to Taiwan.

The Navy said that later this year it will send personnel to the United States to take delivery of the Perry-class frigates, which are being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy after some 30 years of service. The first frigate is expected to arrive in Taiwan in the second half of 2016, the Navy said.

Taiwan has budgeted about NT$5.5 billion (US$174.8 million) for the purchase of two Perry-class frigates, while the Navy is still reviewing its needs before deciding whether to buy the other two.

[sukhoi-30mki]

(From Jeff Head's site!)

[DCBryan1]

Give them to Israel. They’ll upgrade the heck out of them and is a great brown water asset.

Might be cheaper to build a new one in German shipyards though....

[sukhoi-30mki]

You can’t flog a nearly 50-year-old design beyond a point.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Philippines would love to have them, I’m sure.

[dila813]

Those were really great ships, they were the only thing on the water that could keep up with the carriers.

[mmichaels1970]

I served on a Knox class back in the early 90’s. Last I heard she was sold to Egypt.

[missnry]

I served aboard the USS Robert E. Peary FF-1073 (Chi-Yang 932) ... one of the retired ships. Had some good times aboard her. South PAC cruise in ‘79 was awesome... New Zealand, Australia... Singapore... Thailand... PI....

[TontoKowalski]

I'm another old Knox Class man.

Late 80's. Homeport Yoko.

Fond memories for a semi-sheltered rural boy exploring the world, and some really bad ones, too. The old girl was past her prime; it was hell keeping it up and running.

In addition to your list of great places to visit, I add Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea. Went to Jakarta aboard another ship. Bad place. The only place we went I truly hated.

[missnry]

The “Bob E.” was probably in her prime when I was on her. Who could forget a visit to Hong Kong? Loved that port as well.

[mmichaels1970]

The old girl was past her prime; it was hell keeping it up and running.

So was Moinester FF 1097. We would depart Mobile AL and always end up broken down in Jacksonville. Got to know the bars and their daily specials on JAX beach VERY well.

I remember once pulling into Caracao Island. We were all excited until the skipper got on the 1MC and announced that they would be pretty much "rolling up the sidewalks" when we pulled in, so there'd be no liberty.

As we're pulling in, we see it all lit up. Can see the bars hopping, people screaming at us from the shore, and just a wild party going on.

Immediately after tying off, we hear "Moinester Departing!" over the 1MC. We about mutinied. I remember a heated debate about whether or not to throw a floor buffer overboard.

[TontoKowalski]

Must be something about the Old Men from the FF's.

He was a completely self-righteous little dictator. Most sailors have a love/hate relationship with the Old Man. Not this guy. He was universally hated, from the wardroom on down.

I cannot remember a time when he could have done a good thing for his crew and seized the opportunity. He was a dick.

Now, the guy who relieved him was universally loved. Not that he had to do much to earn it. He just had to not be the other guy. LOL In all seriousness, he was a good guy.

[tanknetter]

What are those four dual-tube launchers aft of the mack? Some kind of bolt-on SSM? They kinda look like Exocet launchers.

I wonder what Perrys they’re getting. A whole bunch of them had their single missile launcher removed and the hole plated over. On some a 25mm stabilized automatic cannon mount was superimposed on it. Given the Knoxes have ASROC, I’d think the Taiwanese would want a much better ASW capability than just helos and the torpedo tubes.

[longhorn too]

Wonder if they any old Gearing class ships in their fleet? LOL