Taiwan cancels minehunters amidst shipbuilder scandal
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced it had terminated a minehunter contract between the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) and Ching Fu Shipbuilding on 13 December, with the local company suffering a serious financial crisis over the past two months.
Weeks before, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) rescinded a patrol boat construction contract after Ching Fu failed to deliver boats according to deadlines. The CGA had awarded a contract for 28 100t patrol boats in May 2013. Ching Fu only delivered 13, while another eight were under construction.
Ching Fu Shipbuilding, formed in 1989, is suspected of defrauding
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.