Navy receives two minehunters from U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

2012/08/02 18:23:46

Taipei, Aug. 2 (CNA) Two refitted coastal minehunters purchased from the United States were delivered to Taiwan Thursday, beefing up the country's naval defense capabilities, the Navy said that day.

The refurbished Osprey-class minehunters were shipped to the southern city of Kaohsiung after nearly three years of efforts that included reactivating the ships and training personnel to crew them, the Navy said in a statement.

It said an official welcoming ceremony will be held Aug. 10 at the Tsoying naval base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's largest naval base.

The vessels will improve the Navy's ability to locate and destroy naval mines used in sea blockades, sources familiar with the matter told CNA.

The two vessels -- the USS Oriole and the USS Falcon -- are both decommissioned from U.S. naval service.

In early 2010, the U.S. government approved the sale of the two ships to Taiwan. The package included refurbishment, upgrading and other related support and services, at an estimated cost of US$105 million.

(By Elaine Hou)
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