“The passage of the S. 1683 Naval Vessel Transfer Act by both the House of Representatives and Senate this month shows that U.S. support of Taiwan bridges party lines,” MOFA spokesperson Anna Kao said, adding that the procurement deal is testament to the robust ties between the two countries.
The sale was formally authorized by U.S. President Barack Obama as he signed into law Dec. 18 the transfer of guided missile frigates Carr, Elrod, Gary and Taylor to Taiwan. It marked a follow-up to the bill H.R. 3470—also known as the Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2014—approved by the U.S. Congress in April this year.
Enacted in 1979, the TRA serves as the comprehensive framework for Taiwan-U.S. exchanges in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The passage of the bill underscored the U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s security and confirms the significance of bilateral relations made possible under the act.
In the initial phase, Taiwan plans to acquire the USS Gary and Taylor, currently in active service with the U.S. Navy, the Ministry of National Defense said. A budget of NT$5 billion (US$158.9 million) has been earmarked for the purchase, and the ministry expects to initiate the transfer in 2015 at the earliest.
Commissioned in 1984 and 1985, the two warships are similar to the ROC Navy’s 4,100-ton Chengkung-class frigates. They will be tapped to replace the aging Chiyang-, or Knox-, class vessels, which have served in the nation’s naval patrol squadron for close to 50 years, according to the MND.
The two ships will be renamed Baozhen and Fuxing after delivery, the ministry added. Plans to purchase more Perry-class frigates are pending further review by the Navy. (YHC-MJH)
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