Taiwan plans to buy US frigates despite China thaw

AFP via Yahoo News ^ | 01/11/2010 | AFP via Yahoo News

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Taiwan plans to buy eight second-hand Perry-class frigates from the United States despite improved ties with once-bitter foe China, a local newspaper reported Monday.

The island hopes to arm them with a version of the advanced Aegis Combat System, which uses computers and radar to take out multiple targets, as well as sophisticated missile launch technology, the Taipei-based China Times said.

The defence ministry said in a reaction to the report that ageing frigates now serving the navy needed to be phased out, but that it had not yet decided on the type of vessels that would replace them.

"The overall strategy of the armed forces will be taken into consideration as the defence ministry evaluates the plan," it said in a statement, adding that the budget would be another factor to be weighed.

The United States designed the Perry-class frigates in the 1970s but the majority remain in service, equipped with various forms of modern technology.

The deal would add to Taiwan's existing inventory, as it already has eight Perry-class frigates built on the island.

The China Times report came less than a week after the US Defense Department said it had approved the sale of Patriot missile equipment to Taiwan as part of a package passed by Congress more than a year ago

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

It would be very interesting that the Taiwanese hot wire Aegis with the Perry class vessels

[gaijin]

I don’t know about install costs, servicing, and the cost of the missiles, etc, but the basic system per ship is way cheaper than I thought —maybe $15 million or something. CHEAP..!

They should buy a system for each ship, I think.

The PRC does have an AEGIS-like system, of course. I heard stolen from us...

[rmlew]

Top-heavy aluminum frigates with a single shaft. Crappy design. If they want a good Aegis Frigate, they should look at the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class frigate

[Mr. Jazzy]

Just because they say they are planning on buying them from us does not mean that Odumbo will let the sale go through.

[GeronL]

China is building up like crazy

[Thrownatbirth]

Top-heavy aluminum frigates with a single shaft. Crappy design.

Probably OK for Taiwan as long as they ride out typhoons in deep blue.

[rlmorel]

They are looking for a bargain, used vessels. I don’t think they want to spend the money on new spanish vessels.

Also, as the article states, they already have some Perrys.

For what they are using them for, the Perrys are fine. They are basically coastal defense vessels, not blue water vessels. We still use them for interdiction duty, something they are well suited to.

[shader]

That’s why the Chinese did a ABM test

[Fred Hayek]

The “Gelded Perrys” are only good for interdiction work. After the removal of the Mk 13 GMLS, they are nothing more than oversized Coast Guard Cutters with ASW capabilities. The Mk 13 expanded the capabilities with SM-1MR and Harpoon missiles.
Would Taiwan be planning to install a Mk-41 VLS to be loaded with ESSM’s (enhanced Sea Sparrows)? They already have an anti ship missile, which is derived from the Israeli Gabriel.

[Jeff Head]

Probably along the lines of the excellent upgrade the Aussies are implementing on their Perrys. Something, IMHO, we should do for the 30 we still have.

Australia's Oliver Hazard Perry Frigate Upgrade

All new electronics systems will be added to allow the weapons upgrades and additions. The ships’ existing Mk13 GMLS pop-up launcher will retain its 40 round magazine, but will be fitted for more advanced SM-2 anti-air missiles and Harpoon strike missiles (usually fitted 32 SM-2 and 8 Harpoon). An 8-cell Mk41 tactical-length (vs. longer strike length) vertical launching system adds room for another 8 SM-2 Standards – or up to 32 shorter-range RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow air defense missiles.

Self-contained drop-in weapon changes round out the mix. The ship’s 20mm Phalanx CIWS last-ditch defense systems will be upgraded to Block 1B for better capabilities against UAVs, helicopters, and small boats; the MU90 Eurotorp lightweight torpedo will be ready in the torpedo tubes; the Harpoon anti-ship missiles will be RGM-84 Block IIs with GPS guidance and land attack capability; and RAFAEL’s Mini-Typhoon 12.7mm remote weapons systems will supplement the Phalanx’s defenses against fast boats and similar threats.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The Chinese phased array system was supposedly developed with a Ukranian institute and uses a Soviet era based SAM.

[rmlew]

Nice. It sure beats our now neutered Perrys.

[rlmorel]

I had a chance to board one when it visited Boston last summer...it was interesting.

I always thought I was decently informed about US Naval capabilities, but I admit I had no idea the Perry’s mission over the years had been shaped by their shortcomings more than most other vessels, and that the missile systems had been pulled.

Furthermore, I was kind of stunned to realize how ill suited they were to blue water operations when the guy told us how difficult the Atlantic crossing was each time they had to do it.

I found it hard to believe they were as ill suited to the open ocean as the Knox class, which I had watched in rough weather up in the Arctic Circle roll and pitch in ways I didn’t think ships did unless they were in hurricanes or typhoons...