Posted on 10/11/2005 6:28:18 PM PDT by Republican Party Reptile
PARIS, Oct 3 Asia Pulse - The United States might cooperate with Spain to build submarines to sell to Taiwan, the French newspaper Le Monde reported Friday.
Washington has agreed to sell eight diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan, as well as six Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries and 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, although the island's legislature has yet to pass the long-stalled arms procurement bill to buy the weaponry items.
According to the Le Monde report, both Germany and France, which have monopolized almost entire traditional submarine production in the global market, have said they do not want to build the submarines for Taiwan, reportedly due to concerns about irritating Beijing.
The French shipbuilding group DCN and the Spanish Navantia Group are jointly building Scorpio-class submarines for several countries, including Chile, India and Malaysia, and Spain intends to transfer part of that subs' technology for use in building a new type of S-80 submarine on its own.
The report said that the United States and Spain have been in contact and want to cooperate, with Washington expressing the hope that Spain can lower the price for construction of the S-80 class subs in order to be able to sell them to Taiwan in the future.
The newspaper also reported that the Navantia Group signed a contract with the U.S.-based Rockheed Martin Co. several months ago to equip the S-80 submarines' central combat system.
Nevertheless, the paper said that the Spanish authorities concerned have not yet confirmed any plans related to the export of the S-80 submarines to other countries. The four S-80 subs currently being built by the Navantia Group are all for the Spanish Navy.
TW navy already has the French La Fayette frigates in service and the air force has French Mirage 2000-5's, suppose the deal might make it thru on the principle that the Frog will sell to anyone for the right price, including SSK designs and licensing.
The S80 is supposed to be fitted with Lockeed Martin combat management systems, not sure who suppies the sonar. Also, the S80 is not supposed to have AIP.
Why are we helping Spain?
Because we don't build diesel boats?
No kidding.
Besides Russia, who was the "leading" expert in diesel boats? Germany?
I thought we tried to work a deal with them several years ago for getting some to TW?
LVM
Gosh, a long history of cooperation and coordination on military, political and commercial matters counts for something don't you agree?
Spain is the Canada of Europe. Their unregulated immigrant policies are easy access points for known terrorists into Europe and eventually into the US.
If we don't build diesels, what do we have to offer? Why help a country who harbors terrorists and runs when bloodied?
Spain's High Court on Monday jailed 18 al Qaeda operatives, including the Syrian head of a Spanish-based cell found to have helped to organize the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, as Europe's largest trial involving Osama bin Laden's network concluded.
In a verdict that stretched to 445 pages, the three Spanish judges sentenced Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, alias Abu Dahdah, to 27 years jail for conspiring to commit murder in the September 11 attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people. He was regarded as having led a Spanish-based al Qaeda cell under investigation since 1995.Deutsche Welle, Sept. 26, 2005.
Germany, France, Holland, Russia, Sweden are the major players. France recently transfered technology to India so that they can begin to build their own subs based on the Scorpione. I think Germany has transferred technology to Greece for the same purpose.
Have Chile buy the German Subs, then hand one of them over to Taiwan. Then Taiwan can copy and mass produce.
Problem Solved.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.