I just saw this posted on sci.military.naval and thought some of you guys would be interested in hearing about it. Northrup-Grumman got the contract to build that is after NG buy 20% of OEP, OEP already have 75% of HDW, NG also will buy 20% of HDW. HDW owns Kokkums the swedish submarine builder.
By: Glenn - 13th June 2002 at 14:30
RE: Northrup-Grumman to build subs for Taiwan
Interesting page on the whole affair here
http://www.amiinter.com/samples/taiwan/TW2201.html
One thing is for sure this was never going to happen under Clinton.
A modern SSK fleet for the ROCN would put some serious doubt on any blocakde attempt of the Island that the PRC may try in time of war, if it came to that. It will be interesting to see how the PLAN will undoubtedly boost its ASW capabilites.
Regards, Glenn.
By: seahawk - 13th June 2002 at 13:26
RE: Northrup-Grumman to build subs for Taiwan
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-06-02 AT 01:33 PM (GMT)]Well as far as I know and have read in german newspapers Northop-Gruman bought the majority in HDW to be able to sell U212/214 subs to Taiwan. German law would forbid a sale of the subs directly, so NG will sell the subs to the US, which will sell the subd to Taiwan under forgein military aid programm.
It was given as the reason why NG bought the shares of HDW. They seem to see a big market for SSKs under US military aid. And as US frims no longer built SSKs, they bought HDW to be able to offer a modern design.
Here a news article from Janes :
A US bank’s surprise purchase of a controlling share in Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard, the world’s premier exporter of conventional submarines, will have far-reaching implications for the US nuclear submarine industry and the export of diesel-electric submarines.
One Equity Partners bought a 75% share of HDW from various German companies.
Speculation is rampant that the deal is a cover for a US shipyard to acquire HDW’s diesel-electric submarine technology. This would potentially allow the US to supply diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan.
US officials also said the deal could renew debate over US Navy insistence on an all-nuclear submarine fleet.
By: Jonesy - 13th June 2002 at 12:10
RE: Northrup-Grumman to build subs for Taiwan
Seahawk,
Are you saying that the ROCN is going to be getting Type 212/214’s!?.
These are, IMO, the best SSK on the market currently, if this is true the PLAN must be having fits!.
cheers
By: seahawk - 12th June 2002 at 06:31
RE: Northrup-Grumman to build subs for Taiwan
wrong HDW is building the german designed U212 and U214 subs. I think some of those are going to be delivered.
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June 12, 2002 at 2:57 am