This file photo shows crew standing on board a Perry-class frigate during a drill off Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, in 2007. Taiwan plans to purchase four warships from the United States as part of the ... more 

This file photo shows crew standing on board a Perry-class frigate during a drill off Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, in 2007. Taiwan plans to purchase four warships from the United States as part of the island's efforts to modernise its forces and offset the perceived military threat from China, local media reported on Sunday less