The navy decommissioned two of its eight Knox-class frigates yesterday with the intention of replacing them with two Perry-class guided missile frigates as part of a fleet modernization effort.
The two Knox-class vessels were retired from service at a ceremony in Kaohsiung, which was presided over by Navy Commander Admiral Li Hsi-ming (李喜明).
The deactivation of the vessels was part of an effort to overhaul the navy’s fleet and enhance the nation’s maritime defense capabilities.
Photo: Luo Tien-pin, Taipei Times
The navy plans to decommission all eight of its 3,900-tonne Knox-class frigates, which were built in the early 1970s and have been in service for more than 40 years.
Before their sale to Taiwan in the mid-1990s, the ships belonged to the US Navy.
Since Taiwan acquired the Knox-class frigates, they have on numerous occasions detected submarines from various countries that were passing through waters east of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s military is planning to use the retired vessels as public art installations, but is still looking for a suitable location, according to a military officer.
Meanwhile, the navy is preparing to take delivery of two of four Perry-class guided missile frigates that the US has agreed to sell to Taiwan.
The navy said that later this year it would send personnel to the US to take delivery of the Perry-class frigates, which are being decommissioned by the US Navy after about 30 years of service.
The first frigate is expected to arrive in Taiwan in the second half of next year, the navy said.
Taiwan has budgeted about NT$5.5 billion (US$178.9 million) for the purchase of two Perry-class frigates, while the navy is still reviewing its needs before deciding whether to buy the remaining two.
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