They were called the Ayatolla class among the US Navy personnel
Posted on 12/18/2005 8:41:28 PM PST by F14 Pilot
The first two of four Kidd-class destroyers sold to Taiwan by the United States are due to arrive at the weekend, bolstering the navy's defense capabilities against rival China, a navy spokesman said Tuesday. The two destroyers, which were first refitted for Taiwan's use at a US naval shipyard, were scheduled to arrive Saturday at the Suao naval base in the island's northeast, naval lieutenant-commander Wu Chih-chieh told AFP.
A formal commissioning ceremony has been set for mid-December, he said, adding that Taiwan would take delivery of the remaining two destroyers in 2006.
The four Kidd-class destroyers, originally built for the Shah of Iran, were commissioned in the US navy following the Iranian revolution in 1979. They were decommissioned from the US navy in the late 1990s.
Taiwan's navy has said its combat capabilities will be greatly improved thanks to the four 9,600-tonne destroyers, sold to Taiwan as part of an arms package approved by US President George W. Bush in April 2002.
The deal infuriated China, which opposes any arms sales to the island it considers to be part of its territory since the two split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
In July the Pentagon released a report warning that China had deployed up to 730 ballistic missiles targeting the island.
It said Beijing's defense build-up could tip the military balance against Taiwan and pose a credible threat to other countries in the region.
Analysts say Taiwan's navy badly needs the destroyers, which will be armed with Standard II missiles and a system capable of simultaneously tracking dozens of incoming airborne threats.
The surface-to-air missiles have a range of 144 kilometers (90 miles) and vastly outperform the Standard I missiles deployed on Taiwan's Perry-class frigates.
Cross-strait tensions have increased since Chen Shui-bian of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won the presidency in 2000, ending the Kuomintang's 51-year grip on power. He was re-elected last year.
They were called the Ayatolla class among the US Navy personnel
Excellent ships and an excellent aquisition for Taiwan. As capable as the early Aegis cruisers.
I wonder if the refit included gutting the Mk 26 launchers seen in your picture for the Mk 41 VLS.
Those Standard II's are the best thing since bubble-gum :-)
agreed, very capable and good looking (for modern) ships
If I remember right, these ships were once fitted with the ESSM weren't they? The SM-2 is an awesome addition to the ships. I wish that Poland's two newly acquired Perrys had the Standard 2, rather than the 1, but at least the SM-1 is decent.
No offense but I'd sooner go for chow on the Taiwan boats.
Ha Ha, suck it Chicoms.
No surprise that China is still pushing their farcical claim to Formosa Island (Taiwan).
Imperial China ceded it to the Japanese who handed it over to the U.S. at the end of WWII. The Republic of China took control of the island when they fled there, but only because the U.S. did not contest it, and why would we? They were, after all, our natural allies against the Communists.
BTW, I know some Taiwanese businessmen (not military), and they feel the same way. The assessment is that there will need be a stronger partner (USA) required to protect Taiwan.
FWIW
Yep!
I talked to a few of them and all of them stated the same thing.
They were worried about the support they may get and the duration of their resistance until the support arrives.
Australia is fitting her Perry's with SM2 and ESSM.
What is your assessment of the F22 Raptor? Is Rummy on the right track? Some folks appear to believe that the aircraft, and our logistics with the Raptor is illogical on a long term basis.
Personally, I love the aircraft; however, as a dopey civilian (in another world I would be in the Navy), I cannot comment. I would like an airman's assessment.
Afterall it is the first fighter jet of the air force in 30 years!
It is a decent aircraft and I believe it will meet the demands!
I come from a military family, but was too young to serve when I wanted to serve. Plus, my eyesight is less than deserved as a Navy or Air Force pilot.
F-16 is going to retire soon!
..yo, Yao Whee, come sit on this new meathook... well seasoned with the salt of the South China Sea by more than a Few Ramblin'Ghosts of the China Coast...
Are you still flying?
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