Posted on 05/15/2010 7:58:57 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Comments made by Taiwan's Air Force chief of staff have confused the issue over whether Taiwan actually wants F-16s.
On May 13, Air Chief Ger Hsi-hsiung told members of the legislature that F-16s would meet Taiwan's immediate requirements, but the F-16 lacks the stealth and short-takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) capabilities that will be needed in the future.
When asked by the legislature to identify the fighter better suited to meet Taiwan's long-term needs, Ger identified the F-35B Lightening II.
Taiwan first requested 66 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters from the United States in 2006, but Washington has been hesitant to release the aircraft due to pressure from China.
Ger's response sends the wrong signal to Washington at a time when the government is pushing hard for the release of F-16s, said a Taiwan defense official.
"He is downplaying the utility of the F-16 and that the F-16 is not appropriate for our future needs." The result is "confusion at a time when there should be one voice on the F-16 procurement," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at minnickarticles.blogspot.com ...
Give them the F-35 if the Taiwanese want it.
F-35’s. I agree.
It would give them an edge against the Chinese.
Give them F-22s, and anything else thy want.
We are their allies or we are not. F-35’s for other allies and Taiwan gets F-16’s? They need the edge. Mainland China is growing.
Give us the F-22’s. :)
What is important that these F-35 can takoff from runways that have been damaged by Chinese missiles and Taiwan can counterattack.
The B variant? I’d think they would rather have the stealth. Among other upgrades.
They need to get those aircraft off those damaged runways so they can strike back. I think that they are willing to sacrifice stealth for the STOVL.
F-16 ping.
They can’t take the mainland. If we don’t (the USA) treat Taiwan as allies the most effective force available cannot win. The fighter type is irrelevant when military scale potential is considered.
They can’t take the mainland, but they can prevent bombers and other aircraft from flying to Tawian. Since the F-35 is supposedly nuclear capable they can maybe knock out a few missile sites or bomber bases along the coast.
If Taiwan loses the US, they are toast.
The F-35 is designed for tactical bombing. The can also drop conventional bombs on missile and bomber bases.
This is why we should give them whatever they want. Give them the tools to take care of themselves.
Its hard to keep a secret in the age of the Internet.
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