Defense minister Kao Kuang-chi says he hopes to see the delivery of US Perry-class frigates by next year. He was speaking at the legislature on Wednesday. There have been reports that the sale of the frigates to Taiwan are not final and that the warships have been decommissioned.
Kao said the defense ministry hopes to get a letter of offer for the frigates this year and send Navy officers to take delivery of the Perry-class frigates next year. He also said that the military has already inspected the frigates, and that they are in fairly good condition. But Kao did say there have been delays.
US President Barack Obama signed a bill into law in December 2014 authorizing the sale of four Perry-class frigates to Taiwan. Taiwan budgeted about NT$5.5 billion (US$174.8 million) in 2014 to purchase two of the frigates. Taiwan was expecting to receive the ships this year, allowing for the replacement of the Navy's two aging Knox-class frigates.
But a report in the United Daily News says the Obama administration has delayed finalizing the sale.