Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Dutch Firm’s Report Clears Waters for Submarine Upgrade (Taiwan)
Taipei Times ^ | May 22, 2018 | Lo Tien-pin and Jonathan Chin

Posted on 05/23/2018 8:14:08 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

The navy is to modernize the two Hai Lung-class submarines in its fleet as part of a four-year program as planned, after Netherlands-based RH Marine green-lit the program’s technical feasibility, a Ministry of National Defense official said.

Modified from the Dutch Zwaardvis-class, the Hai Lung-class subs have been in service for more than 30 years of their 35-year life span, the official told the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) on condition of anonymity.

To enhance combat capabilities and to address a shortage of parts, the navy has planned numerous improvements, including equipping the pair with long-range heavy torpedoes from the US, and upgrading their electronic warfare and combat systems, he said.

The US last year approved the sale of Mark 48 torpedoes; the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology would be responsible for upgrading the electronic warfare and combat systems and RH Marine is to help with systems integration, the official said.

Given the subs’ small interiors and difficulty of integrating new systems with older ones, in April last year the navy sought assistance from RH Marine, he said.

The firm conducted a year-long evaluation and has completed the initial report on implementing the upgrades, the source said.

The institute is to start contracting and licensing procedures this year, while combat systems software design, equipment purchases and interface integration would begin next year, he said.

The submarines will be refitted from 2020 to 2022 to take advantage of their refurbishment cycles, he said.

The institute will furnish what equipment and components it can manufacture, while the remainder would be sourced from private companies, he said.

Ministry and institute officials approached representatives from an unnamed US defense manufacturer at the Taiwan-US Defense Business Forum held in Kaohsiung on May 10, he said.

The firm’s representatives tentatively agreed to sell the needed equipment and parts, he said.

-ends-


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: navy; netherlands; rocn; submarine; taiwan

1 posted on 05/23/2018 8:14:09 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Guess the Chicoms have nothing on the Dutch.


2 posted on 05/23/2018 8:17:00 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Taiwan really needs to take a cue from Israel and start building their own stuff.


3 posted on 05/23/2018 8:23:28 PM PDT by Fai Mao (There is no rule of law in the US until The PIAPS is executed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Help Taiwan in every way possible.


4 posted on 05/23/2018 8:24:32 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

So what’s the new class going to be called — Tu Hung Lo?


5 posted on 05/23/2018 8:25:13 PM PDT by TaMoDee (Go Pack Go! The Pack will be back in 2018!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KC_Lion

Ping.


6 posted on 05/23/2018 8:30:23 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fai Mao

Israel buys subs from Germany


7 posted on 05/23/2018 8:54:52 PM PDT by RitchieAprile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: RitchieAprile

The mark 48 is a nuc convoy killer. Might work really good on a man made island pretty fast for a torpedo too. Seen a movie once where a navy nurse sunk a truck with a torpedo.


8 posted on 05/23/2018 9:02:58 PM PDT by Equine1952 (Carry, practice, pray it don't happen. You ain't carrying you lose automtically.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: RitchieAprile

But they started making their own tanks, small arms and avionics


9 posted on 05/23/2018 9:05:08 PM PDT by Fai Mao (There is no rule of law in the US until The PIAPS is executed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

The Chicoms can bluster all they want but if they can’t get ships over the Taiwan Strait then they can’t invade. I think subs are more important to Taiwan than air defenses. You cannot incade by air alone.


10 posted on 05/23/2018 9:25:09 PM PDT by Seruzawa (TANSTAAFL!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Seruzawa

Mine the strait.


11 posted on 05/25/2018 8:00:54 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Equine1952

“Seen a movie once where a navy nurse sunk a truck with a torpedo.”

Operation Petticoat. Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. Great flick.

L


12 posted on 05/25/2018 8:03:05 AM PDT by Lurker (President Trump isn't our last chance. President Trump is THEIR last chance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson