Posted on 02/22/2010 10:44:13 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
A report released yesterday by the US Defense Intelligence Agency that assesses the overall effectiveness of Taiwan’s air defenses has reinforced concerns about the state of Taiwan’s aging fighter squadrons.
An unclassified version of the report seen by the Taipei Times produces a damning indictment of the poor state of many of the Air Force’s jets, raising serious doubts about the nation’s ability to defend itself in the event of a Chinese attack.
“Although Taiwan has nearly 400 combat aircraft in service, far fewer of these are operationally capable,” the report said.
The military’s 60 “F-5 fighters have reached the end of their operational service life,” while the effectiveness of its 56 Mirage 2000 jets has been greatly reduced by high maintenance costs, lack of spare parts and problems with turbine blades, the report said.
The military magazine Defense News reported in August that the assessment was produced after supporters of Taiwan on the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee inserted a requirement for such a report in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act which was passed last July.
(Excerpt) Read more at taipeitimes.com ...
They’ll get no help from the Marxist 0bama.
If China comes to the same conclusion, will they attempt to invade Taiwan while Obama is "president" ?
actually, he just authorized a 6.4 billion dollar deal and, from what I have read, they’re working on a separate deal that includes 66 F16s. He also did a face to face with the Dalai Lama a few days ago and imposed a nice tariff on Chinese tires. So far, I really can’t complain about his China policy.
I reaally do not think China will invade. They have over 1000 DF-15 missiles on the island
The US had authorized the sale of 66 F-16C/Ds to Taiwan back in 2005, but their government never approved the $4 billion required.
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