Su-27, MiG-29 fighters likely to be exhibited in Taiwan air show

Russian-made Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft are likely to be on display for the first time in Taiwan when an air show opens here later this month, organizers said Friday. The Taipei Air Show, to be held from August 12 to 14 at the northern Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, will gather 10 aircraft designers and manufacturers from northern Europe including Ukraine, the Taiwan-based Helicopter Development Association said.

"Ukraine has planned to send the Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft here to show off the country's state-of-the-art aeronautic technology," an association spokeswoman identified by her last name Huang told AFP.

"But we are not going to publicize in advance if these two aircraft will be actually on display at the show in light of the sensitive nature of the matter. Visitors will have to come and see," she added.

Huang said there had been plans for the two aircraft to take part in flying displays during the show but this had been cancelled following concerns from the Taiwan government.

If the two aircraft come to Taipei they will not be part of an aerial show, Huang said.

Military analysts said the exhibition would give Taiwan's air force their first opportunity to take a close look at the two aircraft which form the backbone of the rival Chinese air force.

Taiwan's United Daily News said that Beijing was disturbed about the possible display of the aircraft on the island and has tried to dissuade Ukraine from going ahead with the plan.

The People's Liberation Army has in the past repeatedly sent their advanced Su-27 aircraft to the Taiwan Strait to step up pressure on Taipei.

China regards Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory waiting to be reunified by force if necessary.

There is another issue.
The Taiwanese need more advanced fighters. They are still flying F-4E's and F-5E's from the Vietnam era. The Taiwanese replacement for the F-5 is essentially an underpowered F-21. The Taiwanese have some F-16's (although I'm not sure if they have AMRAAMs) and some Mirage 2000's. They are sorely laking in good Beyond Visual range missles. The Taiwanese have a good supply of older sidewinders and 2 domestic missles, but these do not look good compaired to China's best.
Taiwan needs help. They can either try to get Israel or Germany to upgrade its Phantoms and F-5E's, or it needs to purchase planes from the Former USSR.
Goven the low price of the Migs and Su-27's, I would suggest that Taiwan try to upgrade these with newer avionics.

Goodness, when you apparently don't know ANYTHING, try not to make things up ....

There is another issue. The Taiwanese need more advanced fighters. They are still flying F-4E's and F-5E's from the Vietnam era.

TW NEVER had F-4E's, never. ROCAF F-5E's are now second line force and lead-ins for pilots moving to more advance types. They are also using a small number of upgraded F-5's (Tiger 2000, Tiger Eye) for recce role (until recce version of F-16 is online) and one sqd of F-5's for aggressor role.

The Taiwanese replacement for the F-5 is essentially an underpowered F-21

There is no such thing. F-20? Northrop never put it in production. AIDC F CK-1 is a bit under powered with the F125 derived engine, but otherwise a good plane with excellent avonics and load-out for point interception.

The Taiwanese have some F-16's (although I'm not sure if they have AMRAAMs)

Some? 150 is a pretty good number, and yes, they have AMRAAMs. Recently approved for delivery. ROCAF pilots have been training with it at Luke.

and some Mirage 2000's.

2000-5, Almost the latest update, bought and delivered at the same time frame as the F-16's (mid to late 90's delivery) 60 of them.

They are sorely laking in good Beyond Visual range missles.

Actually, they have four types of BVR AAM in inventory, the older Sparrows for the F-16. New TC-2's for the F-CK1, new MICAs for the Mirage. And new AMRRAMs for the F-16.

The Taiwanese have a good supply of older sidewinders and 2 domestic missles, but these do not look good compaired to China's best.

Their Sidewinders are up to AIM-9P4 for the F-5E's and AIM-9M for the F-16's. Also have R550 Magic II for the Mirage and domestic TC-1 for the F-CK1.

Taiwan needs help. They can either try to get Israel or Germany to upgrade its Phantoms and F-5E's, or it needs to purchase planes from the Former USSR.

TW never had Phantoms, AIDC is doing it's own F-5E upgrade program (some of it with Singapore Aerospace for the Tigereye).

Goven the low price of the Migs and Su-27's, I would suggest that Taiwan try to upgrade these with newer avionics.

One word (OK, several) - system integration, parts, service, logistics.

I guess you can't believe every article you read online.
The ChK-1 does look a lot like the proposed F-20, and seems to have a low thrust to weight ratio.
The Mirage 2000-5 are nice interceptors but have 2 weaknesses, poor manueverability, small weapons load.

If the ROC has 150 AMRAAMs then they have a good BVR missle to contend with the Chinese forces.
As for teh IR missles, do any of them actually match the Russian R-73/AA-11 Archer? The R-73 has a range of 20km, is all aspect, and is helmet targetted.
As far as I know, the only missles that match this (but not in range) are the ASRAAM, the AIM-9X, and the Python-4 and 5.
Do you know how many F-16's we sold to the ROC?
How do you think a late model F-16 (block 30 or 40) with a pair of AIM-9M's and 4 AMRAAMS compare to a Su-27 or Su-30MKK with AA-11s and AA-12s?

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