The Navy Has Retired The First Of The Ticonderoga Class Cruisers (Should we sell it to Taiwan?)

The USS Valley Forge launched in 1986 at a cost of 1 billion has become the first of the class to be retired. The ship with its Aegis Missile systems was designed to defend carrier battle groups against massive Soviet Cruise missile attacks during the cold war. The navy is trending towards smaller multi-roled ships like the Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers that pack a huge punch in a smaller package.

Taiwan expressed interest in aquiring Aegis system technology for defending itself against Chinese agression. Given the fact that the ChiComs have hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan, a missile defence cruiser makes sence. The retirement of a Aegis cruiser that still has alot of life left would be a perfect fit for the Taiwanese Navy. 6-7 of these would provide the island nation with a formidable DEFENSIVE shield with which to defend themselves.

www.globalsecurity.org...

The sun set literally and figuratively yesterday on the Valley Forge as the Navy decommissioned the 18-year-old guided missile cruiser.

In a ceremony at dusk, the 384-member crew marched off the ship at the San Diego Naval Station. With that, the Valley Forge became the first ship with the Aegis radar system to be retired.

It was one more step in the Navy's plan to replace older, less-capable ships with newer, more versatile ones that cost less to staff and operate.

Newer ships, such as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers being built and the next generation of surface ships, will replace older cruisers. The Navy also is downsizing its ranks to save money to pay for new ships.

"The Navy just doesn't have the money and the people to keep all the candles lit at the same time," said Eric Wertheim, author of the upcoming "Combat Fleets of the World."

A defense analyst, John Pike, said the Navy has decommissioned many "low-mileage ships," although the Valley Forge "may be an extreme example."

Older cruisers, like Valley Forge, can handle air and cruise missile threats, but it can't launch long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

"We need ships that do everything," Wertheim said, "and these ships no longer do everything."

Valley Forge cost about $1 billion to build and joined the fleet in January 1986 during the Reagan Administration's 600-ship build-up of the Navy.

Since then, the Valley Forge has been deployed eight times to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. It participated in the Persian Gulf War and operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The ship also was deployed on five counter-narcotics missions, each lasting from one to six months.

On its final cruise, which ended June 25, the cruiser confiscated 7 tons of coc aine and apprehended 21 suspected traffickers off South and Central America.

www.globalsecurity.org...

The U.S. government has a major density issue.

You do not arm other nations, friendly or not. You never know when they'll turn around and use it against you.

Do they not remember Iraq and Iran? Or Afghanistan?

I hate to say this, but our government is made of some insanely stupid people. They are basically beating America themselves.

I say we build a Death Star and sell it to Taiwan.

[edit on 31-8-2004 by sweatmonicaIdo]

Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
I say we build a Death Star and sell it to Taiwan.
[edit on 31-8-2004 by sweatmonicaIdo]

Nah, everybody knows where to hit it down that shaft thingy. Better a Borg Cube or something.

But to the point other nations have Ageis techology. Taiwan is an ally. The systems are no doubt degraded when they are sold. They also are by and large dependant on US upkeep. Don't see much of the Iranian AF F-14 do you?

Originally posted by FredT
Taiwan is an ally.

Yes. AT THE MOMENT. Things can always change. Not saying they will, but they can always change.

And you don't make other nations dangerous, whether they're your friend or not. You wouldn't buy your best friend a gun, would you?

I attended the commissioning of CG-58 in Maine. The USS PHILIPPINE Sea was the neatest naval ship I ever went abord. AEGIS is such a powerful system (now that the bugs are out) [we don't count the USS Vincennes incident], we should keep the technology close to our shores. If mainland China starts to move on Taiwan, then give them a few ships to even out the gap in techology.

=-Rich

[edit on 31-8-2004 by rvfried]

Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
Yes. AT THE MOMENT. Things can always change. Not saying they will, but they can always change.And you don't make other nations dangerous, whether they're your friend or not. You wouldn't buy your best friend a gun, would you?

Ah, but that is an isolationist mentality..... Funny you mention the gun thing. i did buy a friend a hunting rifle a few years back for his Birthday. Hmmmmmm maybe Ill sleep with one eye open tonight

It's one of the first lessons you learn in your long life. Don't make others dangerous.

As for your friend, you took a big risk. I'm just glad you lived to tell the tale.