The two retired U.S. Navy Kidd (DDG-993) class destroyers recently added to the Taiwanese Navy are by far the most capable and powerful surface warships ever to enter service with their fleet. Initially offered for sale by the United States in January 2001, the first to be reactivated, Keelung and Suao, sailed for Taiwan in November 2005. The remaining two units, Tsoying and Makung, are expected to enter Taiwanese service early in 2006. Contrary to previous reports, the destroyers appear to have been named after Taiwanese port cities. While in U.S. Navy service, the four were named Kidd (pictured to the right), Callaghan (DDG-994), Scott (DDG-995), and Chandler (DDG-996). The warships have been extensively refitted during their three-year reactivation overhauls, performed at Detyens Shipyard in South Carolina. Total cost for the four destroyers is approximately $800 million. Capable of employing a single antisubmarine warfare helicopter, their primary armament consists of Harpoon antiship missiles, SM-2 Standard surface-to-air missiles and 5-inch guns.
In late October 2005, little more than a year after her sister submarine HMCS Chicoutimi was damaged as a result of a deadly fire off the coast of Scotland, the Canadian submarine HMCS Windsor, shown to the right in 2004, suffered a smaller fire while taking part in training activities. Windsor's fire appears to have started in a transformer. Swift and effective damage control contained the blaze to the ship's air conditioning system, and she was able to remain on station at an undisclosed location while continuing training exercises. The Canadian submarines, known as the Upholder class while in British service, were purchased in the late 1990s and have drawn their share of controversy. Though Windsor remains active, Chicoutimi is not expected to return to service until 2007, while sisters Victoria and Cornerbrook remain out of service undergoing refits and repairs.
The Republic of Singapore has announced plans to purchase two Västergötland-class submarines from the Royal Swedish Navy. The two submarines, Västergötland (pictured to the right) and Hälsingland are expected to enter service with Singapore's navy around 2010. Following modernizations and upgrades, they will supplement or replace some of the four retired Swedish Sjöormen-class submarines purchased in 1995. Two Västergötland-class sister ships, Södermanland and Östergötland, have been fitted with air independent propulsion systems and are expected to remain in Swedish service.
Combat Fleets
By Eric Wertheim, Editor, <i>Combat Fleets of the World</i>