Taiwan Military News Thread

[Jeff Head]

China is expanding at the pace it is because it wants to be able to deal with the US and Taiwan as quickly as possible, as well as challenge other regional powers. Taiwan isn't the only concern by a long-shot.

China has a lot of potential scenarios to worry about other than just Taiwan. Think Japan, think India, think Vietnam, think Russia and the USA, in fact, think also about possible scenarios involving North Korea.

I am not saying PLA wouldnt be modernizing, only I think would have been on a slower pace, if not for Taiwan, like during 80's and early 90's.

Well, since this is a Taiwan MIlitary News thread, and not really a PLA modernization thread...I will try and get it back on topic.

What do you guys think about the Kee Lung Class now that the ROCN has now put into service in their fleet? These are the former US Navy Kidd class.

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Very capable vessels with the following specs:

Length: 563 ft (172m)
Beam: 55 ft (17m)
Draft: 20 ft (6m)
Displace: (Full Load): 9,800 tons
Propulsion: 4 GE LM2500, Gas Turbines, two shafts
Speed: 33 knots
Range: 6,000 nautical miles (20 knots)
Crew: 363
Helicopter(s): 2 S-70C(N) Seahawks
Sensors:
- AN/SPS-48E, SPS-55, SPQ-9A, SPG-60 Radars
- SQS-53, SLQ-32V(3) Sonars
Armament:
- 2 X Mk 26 twin-arm launchers (62 SM-2 IIIA missiles)
- 8 X Harpoon SSM
- 1 X Mk 112 AROC (16 Missiles)
- 2 X 127mm DP Gun
- 2 X Phalanx 20mm CIWS
- 6 X Mk-46 Torpedoes

62 SM-2 missiles is a VERY effective area air defense shield and their are four of these vessels. The eight Harpoons and the two 5" guns are very effective surface capabilities...but the ASW capability is superb. Very quiet vessel with two S-70 Sehawks and excellent sonar, torpedoes and ASROC.

Has anyone actually seen these vessels out on training exercises with the ROCN Cheng King, Kang Ding, or Chi Yangs? Any pics of that?

Here are a couple of pictures I have, but they are all in port:

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[Deleted member 675]

What do you guys think about the Kee Lung Class now that the ROCN has now put into service in their fleet?

Well, obviously it's a big improvement for the ROCN. They might not have VLS, but they're a good all-round package, especially for the price they got (something like $US 700 million for the four). Though as far as I know only the lead ship currently has Seahawks, because the others don't have LAMPS III.

I remember last year someone mentioned the relatively high man-power requirement, but that's actually a good thing because it will give the ROCN experience with "big ships". If they're ever to field a class of AEGIS ships like the Arleigh Burkes, the Keelungs will be a good stepping-stone.

There's no fear of the service being short-handed, as the gearing-class destroyers have been retired.

 

[Jeff Head]

Well, obviously it's a big improvement for the ROCN. They might not have VLS, but they're a good all-round package, especially for the price they got (something like $US 700 million for the four). Though as far as I know only the lead ship currently has Seahawks, because the others don't have LAMPS III.

I remember last year someone mentioned the relatively high man-power requirement, but that's actually a good thing because it will give the ROCN experience with "big ships". If they're ever to field a class of AEGIS ships like the Arleigh Burkes, the Keelungs will be a good stepping-stone.

There's no fear of the service being short-handed, as the gearing-class destroyers have been retired.

I also understand that they took the Standard Missile boxes off the Gearings and have installed them and their fire control on the Knox (Chi Yangs) as the following pic attests:

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Good move that.

I agree. Acquiring the Kidds was a GREAT move by the ROCN.

They are very capable (often called AEGIS-lite) by US naval personnel). They have them NOW (as opposed to years from now with the AEGIS vessels), they are learning a lot with them (including the cooperative engagement capabilities with AEGIS vessels) and that will serve the RCON very well in the future.

Whether they train with US AEGIS vessels in working together, or ultimately acquire their own.

Maybe someday they can upgrade the Kidds a little too. Putting RAM in place of the Phalanx CIWS would be a good move if it can be fitted.

 

[Deleted member 675]

Maybe someday they can upgrade the Kidds a little too. Putting RAM in place of the Phalanx CIWS would be a good move if it can be fitted.

Has RAM (i.e. RIM-116, not SeaRAM) been cleared for sale to Taiwan?

 

[Clouded Leopard]

Has RAM (i.e. RIM-116, not SeaRAM) been cleared for sale to Taiwan?

I don't know if Taiwan has even requested RAM at all.

 

[Jeff Head]

Has RAM (i.e. RIM-116, not SeaRAM) been cleared for sale to Taiwan?

I don't know...but would guess probably not to this point. I believe it will one day...hence my use of the term someday in that post.

RAM would be a great addition to the Shu Hai amphibs, the Kidds...and even the Kang Ding (which sorely need better AAW defense) if it could be fitted.

 

[Deleted member 675]

and even the Kang Ding (which sorely need better AAW defense) if it could be fitted.

They'd need it more, though the lead ship is being fitted with an indigenous missile system. Problem is the ROCN is being very hush-hush (as is normal with a lot of Taiwanese projects), so it's impossible to know how that's going.

 

[Jeff Head]

They'd need it more, though the lead ship is being fitted with an indigenous missile system. Problem is the ROCN is being very hush-hush (as is normal with a lot of Taiwanese projects), so it's impossible to know how that's going.

Well...I imagine a new indegenous system will be a huge leap over the Sea Chaparrel they have now.

Do you know if the indegenous system is VLS...or is it something like RAM with minimal deck penetration?

Will be interesting to see...the Kang ding certainly need it.

 

[Deleted member 675]

Well...I imagine a new indegenous system will be a huge leap over the Sea Chaparrel they have now.

Do you know if the indegenous system is VLS...or is it something like RAM with minimal deck penetration?

Will be interesting to see...the Kang ding certainly need it.

The plan was for the lead ship to test the system (box-launched). Then, if it worked, the remaining ships would have a 16-cell VLS fitted. Maybe the lead ship would be re-fitted later - I didn't read anything about that.

Initial reports were in 2005 with funds allocated in subsequent defence budgets, with work planned to be complete on the first ship by the end of next year. But, as I said, it's been hush-hush since then.

 

[Scratch]

Since Taiwan really lacks contemporary SS capabilities/platforms (and will do so for years to come) this aditional surface bound ASW capabilities are really a great enhancement.
As is the aerial AA capabilitiy that comes with these ships. If RAM should later be retrofitted, it would further enhance the ships survivability.
Pics of these ships with others of the ROCN fleet would really be nice to see.