Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: U.S. Navy Perry class frigates

newspaper freelance writer Malan

Taiwan, “Asia-Pacific Defense” magazine carried an article recently that Taiwan’s navy intends to purchase second-hand American “Perry “class frigate, a serious aging of the surface ship force to add” new blood. ” In this regard, many had “successful” class frigates (Taiwan self-built “Perry” class) on the serving officers and men expressed their support. On the other hand, taking into account the existing U.S. military, “Perry” class used for anti-piracy mission to escort other low-intensity, Ge Jian anti-aircraft missile launchers and other important equipment has been removed, such as the decision to take over the future of Taiwan, there is a need implementation of these warships modernize.

second-hand goods can still be 20 years of service

article said, the “Perry” class ships which the implementation of the transformation, the first question to be answered is: How long can service these second-hand goods. According to the U.S. Navy’s statistics, “Perry” class, the average ship age of about 28 years, with its units made “success” level common parts, the final 50 years of service time may be almost equal, which means that Taiwan can contribute to 20-year service period. To ensure that the shipboard equipment will not be too far behind, there need to be upgraded.

specific plans can be divided into separate and active upgrade or “success” level two ideas together with the transformation. Upgrade to first on a separate analysis, if only to restore anti-aircraft missile capability, so the lowest cost. Such as liquidity, Taiwan can also refer to the Australian Navy (“Perry” class of the old user) experience, its combat information systems, weapons, degree of automation and other all-round improvement.

Another source pointed out that the U.S. had suggested Taiwan, Taiwan’s procurement of used ships can be arranged in the transformation of the United States, and better use of local facilities for testing, validated, and then related to technology transfer to the island, the fleet of “success” level to start the follow-up upgrade. In this way, Taiwan can not only buy a modern “Perry” class, but also in the transformation process can also be made to maintain eight sets of “successful” level of normal operation will not affect the combat readiness and training.

defense to fill loopholes in what means?

In contrast, the U.S. proposal is more pragmatic. In fact, the Taiwan-made “success” level, the average ship age is nearly 15 years, has come to a plan, “the mid-life upgrade” (MLU) of the time. On past service performance, the ship’s overall combat capability is the strongest in Taiwan frigate, equipped with “standard” -1 is a reliable regional missile defense means, in recent years also completed the “Treasures” 2 and ” Treasures “-3 mixed anti-ship missiles, surface ships against fire leapt to Taiwan the first line.

Huang, a former United States trained retired captain recalls that when he was sent to the U.S. Navy’s “Perry” level, he was impressed that, after training, the U.S. shipbuilding engineers gathered, trained officers want to make various improvements on the ship. It is this down to earth attitude, “Perry” class to become a high reliability of warships.

Huang, captain, “said Perry” class (also including the “success” level) is currently the biggest drawback is the lack of defensive ability. The sea view on the current patterns, sea-skimming anti-ship missile is the main threat to surface warships, the missile’s altitude is less than 10 meters, warships attacked the effective response time less than 10 seconds. “Perry” class with anti-aircraft missiles against sea-skimming anti-ship missiles can not only rely on electronic warfare systems and a “Phalanx” near Artillery to intercept the danger factor is too high.

Some experts believe that the introduction of Taiwan, “Perry” class should be modified “Standard” missile -2, but this weapon is more suitable for combat aircraft of goals, such as sea-skimming anti-ship used to deal with missiles, and its turning speed to intercept a minimum engagement range of other indicators do not meet the actual demand. Therefore, the U.S. military active duty, “Sea Sparrow” missile (ESSM) is a better option, but on the cost, function, operation and other aspects, the “Hai Lamu” missile (Sea RAM) are also worth considering.

resurrection “small Aegis” is the ideal goal

addition to strengthening the defense capability, the Taiwan military insiders also believe that, based on “self defense” and development of core technologies, to regain the old “small Aegis’ program is worthy of attention direction.

year to promote the self “success” class frigates, the Taiwan Navy has issued “Advanced Combat System” project (ACS), designed to “success” level with the U.S. “Aegis” destroyers of phased array radar, missile vertical launching system; these subsystems are simplified, hence the name “Little Aegis.” However, Taiwan’s light on the construction of eight new ships spent NT $ 120 billion, “Little Aegis’ plan was to spend another $ 15 billion and the cost of a single ship flush, the results have been stopped in 1994.

Huang Captain analysis, because rapid technological progress, the development of “small Aegis’ technical conditions now ripe related materials prices have sharply reduced, then worry about the cost of the disappeared. Taiwan’s navy may wish to plan a standard schedule – 10-year development cycle for a carrier and come up with a shore-based systems, shore-based system in which to do first, is responsible for project development and follow-up studies; ship-based system through verification, and then divided each year of the implementation of modernizing Ge Jian.

article concludes that the international launch of the “Perry” class rehabilitation programs a lot, but mostly for local, one-time benefit far less than the transformation. Taking into account technical feasibility, operational demand is there, no problem warship platform, the main equipment overhaul the idea of ??Taiwan’s navy with high maneuverability.