Kidd-Class Destroyers Might Be Some of the Navy's Best Warships Ever
Summary and Key Points: The American-made Kidd-class destroyers, initially built for the Iranian Navy, now serve in Taiwan’s naval fleet. These guided-missile destroyers, originally designed with features suited for the Middle East, were repurposed for U.S. Navy use after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
-In 2001, Taiwan acquired the four destroyers, upgrading them to Kee Lung-class standards. Equipped with advanced armaments, including Mk26 launchers, Harpoon missiles, and sophisticated electronic warfare suites, these multi-mission ships are vital for Taiwan’s defense amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
-The Kee Lung-class destroyers exemplify strategic adaptability and enduring naval strength.
Kidd-Class: The Destroyers That Bridged U.S. Ties from Iran to Taiwan
The American-made Kidd-class destroyers were built for the former Imperial Iranian Navy. The ships ended up serving instead in the navy of Taiwan.
These guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) were built as multi-purpose boats equipped with sophisticated anti-aircraft capabilities. Prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the U.S. provided certain military systems to Tehran. After the fall of the Shah, however, the relationship between Tehran and Washington would change, and the Kidd-class contracts were canceled. By the end of the 1990s, the DDGs were decommissioned and sold to Taiwan, where they have remained in service ever since.
Kidd-Class History
The former Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, requested the Kidd-class destroyers from the U.S. in the early 1970s. Iran’s initial order was for six ships, tentatively assigned hull numbers DD-993 to DD-998. Such a robust order, however, would have interfered with U.S. production of its own Spruance-class ships, so Washington agreed to deliver only four of these DDGs.
Since these DDGs were originally intended for Iran’s navy, engineers incorporated features that made them better suited to operate in the Middle East. From additional air conditioning plants to dust separators, the Kidd ships were uniquely designed to Iran’s needs.
When the contract was later canceled, the U.S. Navy decided to integrate the vessels into its own fleet in the early 1980s.
The lead ship of the class, the USS Kidd, was named to honor Rear Adm. Isaac C. Kidd, who died aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The remaining ships in the class followed suit, each being named for an admiral who died in World War II.
Taiwan’s Purchase of the DDGs
The four Kidd-class destroyers were sold to Taiwan in 2001. Renamed as Kee Lung-class destroyers, these boats have received significant upgrades. Today, the Kee Lung-class ships are equipped with naval tactical data systems and sophisticated armaments. They carry two Mk26 launchers and two Mk141 quadruple canisters capable of firing Harpoon anti-ship missiles and RIM-66 standard missiles. The two primary guns fitted on the DDGs are 127mm/54 caliber, Mark 45 dual-purpose guns. Two Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems are also carried.
In terms of countermeasures, the destroyers possess AN/SLQ-32V3 Outboard II Electronic Warfare suites. As detailed by Naval Technology, this system is efficient at detecting, processing, and analyzing enemy electronic emissions.
As tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, the maintenance of the Kee Lung-class destroyers remains essential. Among the few truly multi-mission ships able to operate offensively and contend with simultaneous air, surface, and subsurface attacks, these DDGs play an important role in Taiwan’s fleet.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Creative Commons.