The Taiwan-built Chengkung-class frigates are unable to simultaneously fire all their weapons because of a lack of sufficient electrical power, according to defense sources.
The power problem is due to the extra weapons systems the navy has installed on the ships, which were modeled on the US Perry-class frigate.
The same problem has been found with the Yang-class destroyers, which the navy has operated for several decades. Again, the problem lies in the addition of extra weapons systems.
It has been established that while using long-range weapons systems such as anti-ship missiles, crews of the Chengkung-class frigates have to shut down power supplying other weapons so that enough can be saved to fire the anti-ship missiles.
The Chengkung-class frigates are some of the navy's most important pieces of merchandise. A total of seven are currently in service.
They were built in the early 1990s by the state-run China Shipbuilding Corp, based on the design for the Perry-class frigate.
They form part of the navy's second generation of warships, which also include six French-built Lafayette and six Knox-class frigates purchased from the US.
The Chengkung vessels, however, are not the only type of second-generation warship that has developed serious problems.
The Lafayette-class frigates are now in urgent need of spare parts, which threatens to disable the ships, a naval official said.
The official did not explain, however, why the navy is having trouble obtaining spare parts for the ships.
Unlike the Lafayette frigates, the Taiwan-built Chengkung frigates enjoy a constant supply of spare parts. But their power shortage problems could have deadly consequences in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Chang Li-teh (
"The power shortage problem could have very serious consequences. I cannot imagine how the problem came into existence. The Chengkung-class frigates have indeed been equipped with more weapons systems than the Perry-class frigates," Chang said.
"These extra weapons systems include Taiwan-built Hsiungfeng-II anti-ship missiles and foreign-built 40mm guns. With the power shortage problem, the Chengkung-class frigates will not be able to run all of the weapon systems at the same time. The situation would become even more serious if they suffer any damage in war. Any damage would further reduce the ships' power supply," Chang said.
Crews of the Chengkung frigates have to ration power and are not allowed to use personal electrical appliances while on board.
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