Posted on 05/18/2010 4:42:39 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Taiwan on Tuesday put into service its first missile boats featuring what the navy described as "stealth" technologies, aimed at boosting defence capabilities against rival China.
The squadron of 10 guided-missile boats, seen by top brass as a major improvement on Seagull vessels which have been in service for the past 20 years, joined the navy at the Tsuoying naval base in the south of the island.
"Its combat capabilities are much superior to the 50-tonne Seagull-class missile boats," the navy said in a statement released ahead of a ceremony in Tsuoying.
"The new home-made weapons system is expected to greatly enhance the navy's defence capabilities, thus ensuring the security of Taiwan."
The vessel, called "Kuang Hua No 6", is equipped with "stealth technologies," enabling it to reduce the risk of radar detection, the navy said.
However, the navy did not provide any details about how the vessel's shape or surface materials allowed it to have these capabilities.
The inauguration of the boats signalled Taiwan's desire to maintain a defence capability against its former bitter rival China despite fast warming ties over the past two years.
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have eased significantly since President Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power in 2008, pledging to boost trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists.
Yet Beijing still refuses to renounce its use of force against Taiwan should it declare formal independence.
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That’s stealthy? Sheesh.
It does not look too stealthly.
that was my thought. Slap some radar reducing paint on a standard boat doesn't really make it all that much more stealthy.
Now if it was sleek and fast like some James Bond boat...that'd do it. something like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujy-cgkOU8g
Now that. That's stealthy!
.
Maybe they could “lend-lease” some to the ROK.
Radar isn’t too effective in water. Couple that with the curvature of the Earth, the usual mode of detection is to search for the “hole” caused by the boat’s body.
This is not the same case as with aircraft.
kinda like when a passive sonar array shows a hole with no sound in it...
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