Report: Taiwan gains decommissioned frigates

March 16 (UPI) -- Two decommissioned U.S. Navy frigates were reportedly signed over to Taiwan this month and will soon enter service with the Taiwanese navy.

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were handed over at a low-key ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina, attended by Commander of the Taiwanese Navy, Adm. Huang Shu-kuang, Taiwan's Representative to the United States Stanley Kao, and unidentified U.S. officials.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense did not comment on the transfer, but Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tsai Shih-ying confirmed the handover.

Tsai was quoted as saying a team of officers has been sent to the United States for training on the vessels and would sail the ships to their new home.

"The two frigates have been retrofitted to extend their service lives by about 30 years, making them a highly cost-effective option for the navy," Tsai told The Taipei Times.

The ships signed over were the USS Taylor and the USS Gary, which were in service between 1984 and 2015. They were purchased by Taiwan for about $177.21 million.