The navy has renewed the initiative for building next-generation guided missile frigates, Ministry of National Defense bidding notices showed.
They sought designs for a frigate’s hull structure, command and control, radar, propulsion and weapon systems, among others, a request for information on procurement posted on the government’s public information Web site on Tuesday last week showed.
The next-generation guided missile frigate was not mentioned by name, but Taiwan has no other frigate programs.
Photo: Taipei Times
The navy had previously obtained a draft for the 6,500-tonne advanced warship, significantly more than the planned 4,500 tonnes.
That meant either the state-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology achieved a breakthrough in creating a compact active electronically scanned array (AESA) or the navy gave up on the original concept and returned to the drawing board.
The proposed frigates — meant to serve as the centerpiece of the navy’s surface fleet — faced troubles during its development, as the program had to change requirements and specifications.
The Control Yuan last year released a report saying that the program had been mismanaged, resulting in delays that compromised national defense.
The navy had told the public that the next-generation warship would be equal to and compatible with the Aegis combat system used by the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
That advanced warship would have been armed with a domestically-produced battle management system and vertical launching system, anti-ship and air defense weapons, and sonar, they said.
However, the initial requirements the navy submitted to the Chungshan Institute specified a passive electronically scanned array, only for the navy to switch to an AESA after development was well on its way.
The Chungshan Institute developed the AESA capability as requested, but the system proved too bulky for the intended size of the frigate, a problem that led to the program being shelved.
PROCEDURE: Although there is already a cross-strait agreement in place for the extradition of criminals, ample notice is meant to be given to the other side first Ten Taiwanese who were involved in fraud-related crimes in China were extradited back to Taiwan via Kinmen County on Wednesday, four of whom are convicted fraudsters in Taiwan. The 10 people arrived via a ferry operating between Xiamen and Kinmen, also known as the “small three links.” The Kinmen County Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that four of the 10 extradited people were convicted in Taiwan for committing fraud and contravening the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法), and were on the wanted list. They were immediately arrested upon arrival and sent to Kinmen Prison to serve their sentences following brief questioning, the office said.
Taipei and Kaohsiung have extended an open invitation to Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki after Chinese authorities abruptly canceled her scheduled concert in Shanghai. Hamasaki, 47, had been slated to perform on Saturday before organizers pulled the show at the last minute, citing “force majeure,” a move widely viewed as retaliation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday said the city “very much welcomes” Hamasaki’s return and would continue to “surprise” her. Hamasaki, who has a large global fan base, including
‘REGRETTABLE’: Travelers reported that Seoul’s online arrival card system lists Taiwan as ‘China (Taiwan),’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday urged South Korea to correct the way Taiwan is listed in its newly launched e-Arrival card system, saying the current designation downgrades the nation’s status. South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by next year. Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering the country. The ministry said it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese travelers saying that the system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in dropdown menus for both “place of departure” and “next
VIGILANT: Enterovirus activity remains in the epidemic phase, with the CDC urging caregivers of infected children to be on the lookout for signs of severe illness Influenza activity is rising in neighboring countries, and, with temperatures forecast to drop this week, flu cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Hospitals reported 87,162 visits for flu-like illnesses between Nov. 23 and Saturday, which remained about the same level as the previous week, but nine deaths and 24 cases with serious flu complications were also confirmed last week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said. Flu activity reached a peak in late September before declining for eight consecutive weeks, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠)
RSS