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Taiwan Needs Additional F-16 Jets to Counter China, Group Says
Buisnessweek ^
| 5/11/2010
| Tony Capaccio
Posted on 05/11/2010 9:48:20 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Taiwan needs as many as 66 more Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16 fighter jets to counter Chinas growing air defense and attack capability, according to a report by a pro-Taiwan advocacy group.
Chinas rapid, sustained military modernization over the last two decades has steadily eroded Taiwans relative capabilities in maintaining a viable air defense, the U.S.- Taiwan Business Council said yesterday in a report released in Washington.
Taiwans request in 2006 to buy the fighters wasnt pursued by the administration of President George W. Bush and so far hasnt been backed by President Barack Obama in the face of opposition from the Chinese government.
The Bush administration refused in 2006 and 2007 to accept a formal Taiwan request, according to the Congressional Research Service. Nor was it part of the proposed U.S. sale to Taiwan of missiles, helicopters and ships valued at about $6.4 billion that Congress in March allowed to go forward.
The Obama administration has about a year to make a decision before Lockheed Martin produces the last planes on contract, the council said.
With the last F-16s under contract slated to be delivered by the end of 2013, and given the 36-month manufacturing lead time, the production could be forced to close before a decision is made, the report said. The window for Taiwan to purchase new-built F-16s is closing rapidly.
Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laurie Quincy in Fort Worth, Texas, where the jets are manufactured, said the current F-16 backlog continues the production line through May 20
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; china; f16; militarytechnology; mirage2000; pla; rocaf; taiwan
To: sonofstrangelove
A poorly researched and mis-informed article. Its is obvious that little to no research was done in preparing this piece and whoever, if anyone, who edited it was also lacking in background knowledge.
Sales of these items was OK'd under GW Bush and has been on repeated hold by the Taiwanese legislative Yuan, their Congressional house, political infighting ever since it was 1st OK'd by the US side. The terms of the contract are still open and ObieWan is obliged to fulfill the sale if Taiwan ever decides to move forward on this matter.
2
posted on
05/11/2010 10:04:55 PM PDT
by
Tainan
(Cogito, ergo conservatus)
To: sonofstrangelove
China will gain Taiwan without firing a shot, they’ll just buy them out.
3
posted on
05/11/2010 10:05:37 PM PDT
by
dfwgator
To: Tainan
Well, I am glad that you pointed out the mistakes.
4
posted on
05/11/2010 10:05:43 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
To: dfwgator
China has about four times the gross domestic product of Taiwan
5
posted on
05/11/2010 10:10:00 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
To: sonofstrangelove
South Korea’s GDP is over 30 times that of North Korea.
6
posted on
05/11/2010 10:24:53 PM PDT
by
Doe Eyes
To: Jet Jaguar
7
posted on
05/11/2010 10:25:32 PM PDT
by
freedumb2003
(The frog who rides on a scorpion should not be surprised when he last hears "it is my nature.")
To: Doe Eyes
8
posted on
05/11/2010 10:25:45 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
To: Sparky1776; militant2; TaMoDee; freedumb2003; PERKY2004
9
posted on
05/11/2010 10:26:45 PM PDT
by
Jet Jaguar
(*)
To: Jet Jaguar
My God — do you have a bot?
Your ping from a ping is almost always nearly instantaneous!! :)
Or are you like me and just can’t sleep sometimes?
10
posted on
05/11/2010 10:29:36 PM PDT
by
freedumb2003
(The frog who rides on a scorpion should not be surprised when he last hears "it is my nature.")
To: freedumb2003
No bot. I just got off work. Browsing the FR by comments, not articles.
Seeing what people are talking about realtime. I find this way of browsing, I stay up on the latest news and trends.
Thanks for the ping, BTW!
JJ
To: Jet Jaguar
>>No bot. I just got off work. Browsing the FR by comments, not articles.<<
Just joshing — I stay up, too.
But for me, it is just chronic insomnia. :)
12
posted on
05/11/2010 10:36:04 PM PDT
by
freedumb2003
(The frog who rides on a scorpion should not be surprised when he last hears "it is my nature.")
To: freedumb2003
To: sonofstrangelove
These a/c are part of a big package deal. It included Patriot missiles and electronic targeting components, Helicopters, etc. along with a lot of upgrades for ELINT and EWF components.
Taiwan has F-16A/B models, as well as some very long in the tooth Mirages jets and a homegrown a/c called the IDF - Indigenous Defense Fighter. A good a/c, but hampered by old technology.
hey really need/want the upgrade packages for the F-16C/D models to bring their air capabilities up to standard.
14
posted on
05/11/2010 11:08:03 PM PDT
by
Tainan
(Cogito, ergo conservatus)
To: Tainan
Why not give them a blank check and say to Taiwan and Israel take what ever American technology you need to defend yourself.
15
posted on
05/11/2010 11:10:13 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
To: Tainan
16
posted on
05/11/2010 11:10:39 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
To: sonofstrangelove
As for Taiwan, the reason to "Just Say No" to that kind of blank technology check is the fact that it, the technology, would wind up in the PRC/CCP within days, if not hours, of being transferred to Taiwan/ROC.
The required security is not, and has never been, in place. It would be sold/transferred almost immediately.
This is a problem.
Israel is a completely different story. They pretty much have their lids screwed down pretty tight and compartmentalization in place.
Of course this is just my opinion on things.
17
posted on
05/12/2010 1:08:06 AM PDT
by
Tainan
(Cogito, ergo conservatus)
To: Tainan
Why can we apply the same standards to Taiwan in regards to technology transfers as we do to Israel? We keep a close eye on Taiwan on use of American military technology. I would rather give American military technology to Taiwan than Pakistan. Pakistan is the biggest “leaker” of U.S. military technology than Taiwan.
18
posted on
05/12/2010 6:06:11 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("You hit somebody with your fist and not with your fingers spread:-General Heinz Guderian)
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