Kee Lung-class destroyer

Kee Lung-class destroyer. The Kee Lung class comprises four guided-missile destroyers serving as the principal surface combatants of the Republic of China Navy. These vessels are former United States Navy ''Kidd''-class destroyers, originally built for the Imperial Iranian Navy before being acquired by Taiwan in the early 21st century. Their introduction significantly enhanced the Taiwanese military's anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Taiwan Strait.

Design and Development

The design originated in the late 1960s as an enlarged variant of the Spruance-class destroyer, intended for the Imperial Iranian Navy under the Pahlavi dynasty. The project, managed by the Bath Iron Works, aimed to create a powerful air-defense platform for operations in the Persian Gulf. Following the Iranian Revolution and the cancellation of the Iranian order, the United States Navy commissioned the vessels as the Kidd class, where they saw extensive service, including during the Gulf of Sidra incident and operations in the Persian Gulf War. The Republic of China initiated acquisition plans in the late 1990s under the tense cross-strait military balance, with the sale approved by the United States Congress under the Taiwan Relations Act. The transfer was part of a broader arms package that also included Patriot missile systems, facilitated during the administration of President George W. Bush.

Characteristics

The class is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines in a COGAG arrangement, providing high speed and rapid acceleration. Its sensor suite is built around the AN/SPS-48 three-dimensional air search radar and the AN/SPS-49 two-dimensional air search radar, integrated with the Naval Tactical Data System. The primary anti-air warfare armament consists of two Mk 26 missile launcher systems capable of firing RIM-66 Standard SM-1MR missiles, supported by the AN/SYS-1 integrated automatic detection and tracking system. For anti-ship strikes, it employs two quad RGM-84 Harpoon launchers. Anti-submarine capabilities are provided by the AN/SQS-53 sonar, Mark 46 torpedoes launched from triple tubes, and an embarked S-70C(M) Thunderhawk helicopter. The design includes enhanced NBC protection and features a large, stable hull form derived from the Spruance class, making it well-suited for the often-rough waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Service History

After decommissioning from the United States Navy, the ships were transferred to Taiwan between 2005 and 2006 under the Foreign Military Sales program. They were formally commissioned into the Republic of China Navy in a ceremony at Zuoying Naval Base. The class has since formed the core of the 124th Fleet, routinely participating in major annual exercises such as Han Kuang exercise. Their operational history includes numerous patrols and surveillance missions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, often monitoring activities of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The destroyers have also been deployed for humanitarian missions, including disaster relief following Typhoon Morakot. In 2022, the lead ship, ROCS Kee Lung, conducted a live-fire exercise with Hsiung Feng II missiles during a drill near the Penghu islands.

Operators

The sole operator is the Republic of China Navy. The vessels are assigned to the 124th Fleet, which is headquartered at Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung. This fleet is responsible for the defense of Taiwan's southern waters and the Bashi Channel. Maintenance and upgrades for the class are carried out at the CSBC Corporation, Taiwan shipyard, with technical support and spare parts provided through agreements with the United States Department of Defense.

Ships in Class

All four ships are named after major ports in Taiwan. ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801) was formerly USS Scott (DDG-995). ROCS Su Ao (DDG-1802) was formerly USS Callaghan (DDG-994). ROCS Tso Ying (DDG-1803) was formerly USS Kidd (DDG-993). ROCS Ma Kong (DDG-1805) was formerly USS Chandler (DDG-996). Each ship underwent an extensive retrofit and modernization process at U.S. naval facilities prior to transfer, which included the installation of compatible Taiwanese communication systems and the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns being replaced with Phalanx CIWS blocks.

Category:Destroyer classes Category:Republic of China Navy ships