U.S. and Taiwan Naval Interaction Raises Eyebrows After Viral Video

A TikTok video clip labelled ” United State Naval Accessory Prepares to Refuel Taiwanese Ship” went viral in Taiwan on March 21, 2025. Although the video clip was initially posted on February 18, it just started acquiring extensive interest in Taiwan a month later on.

The video footage shows up to reveal a united state Navy replenishment ship cruising in advance of an additional vessel appearing like a united state Navy San Antonio-class touchdown system dock (LPD)– with the exception of one significant information: its hull number, “1401,” which recognizes it as a ship from Taiwan Navy.

The uploader, that determined themselves as a Vendor Marine Deck Policeman collaborating with the united state Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC), declared to have actually recorded the scene throughout procedures. MSC is the united state Navy’s company in charge of the procedure of non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that supply vital logistical assistance, such as resupply and transportation, to marine pressures.

Conjecture bordering joint armed forces task in between the united state and Taiwanese navies isn’t brand-new. On Might 14, 2024, Reuters mentioned a confidential resource declaring that secret joint drills in between both navies had actually happened in the Pacific the previous April. While armed forces collaboration in between the united state and Taiwan is popular amongst the Taiwanese public, a lot of information stay categorized. The USA has actually commonly worked out care in staying clear of obvious armed forces communication with Taiwan, regardless of being the island’s key arms provider under the Taiwan Relations Act.

Responses from Taiwanese authorities in feedback to the video clip have actually indirectly sustained supposition that such workouts might be taking place behind the scenes. Taiwan’s Navy Command Head office informed the state-run Central Information Firm (CNA) that the Navy complies with the Code for Unplanned Experiences mixed-up (HINTS), a U.S.-promoted structure developed to minimize the danger of misconceptions mixed-up. The declaration kept in mind that the Navy might develop interaction and carry out passing workouts according to situational requirements.

When wondered about by the media, Taiwan’s Preacher of National Protection, Wellington Koo (顧立雄), mentioned: ” We have regulations for unintended experiences mixed-up and will certainly react appropriately.”

Concerning Yushan-class Touchdown System Dock

Taiwan’s Yushan-class LPD is greatly motivated by the united state Navy’s San Antonio-class layout. The vessel is 153 meters long, has a beam of light of 23 meters, a draft of 6 meters, and a full-load variation of 10,600 lots. It can get to an optimum rate of 22 knots.

The lead ship, Yushan (LPD-1401), is geared up with 32 TC-2N medium-range air protection rockets (organized in 4 8-cell launchers), a 76mm marine weapon, and 2 Phalanx Close-In Tool Solution (CIWS). It additionally includes a trip deck and 2 garages efficient in sustaining S-70C( M) anti-submarine war helicopters.

The Yushan-class LPD is developed for both armed forces and altruistic goals. It acts as a command vessel for aquatic procedures and works as the focal point of aquatic job pressures charged with taking back overseas islands. It can additionally operate as a mothership for minelayers, a mobile maritime area health center, and a basic logistics ship efficient in resupplying islands without port facilities. Catastrophe alleviation and worldwide altruistic help are thought about second goals.

The article U.S. and Taiwan Naval Interaction Raises Eyebrows After Viral Video showed up initially on Naval News.