Posted on 10/09/2020 5:07:32 PM PDT by cba123
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In the face of aggressive incursions by China’s Air Force, the United States should help Taiwan by leasing it F-35 stealth jets, a retired Pentagon official wrote in Newsweek Thursday (Oct. 8).
Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen said that Taiwanese pilots’ supposed lack of ability to fly the sophisticated fighters could be helped by training them in the United States. Any fears of China’s reaction could lead to the aircraft being kept on standby in the U.S., though they would either belong to Taiwan or be leased by the island.
Looking at its current fleet of jets, by the end of 2020, 50 of its 140 F-16 jets would be upgraded, but it still would have to wait at least five years for the delivery of 66 new F-16V versions, Bryen said. The lease of stealth fighters would also make more financial sense than the purchase of new jets or the upgrading of all old ones, he added.
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(Excerpt) Read more at taiwannews.com.tw ...
I have no doubt someone has already given the plans for the F-35 to the chicoms.
It would be very pleasing indeed if Taiwan were to have the bomb.
How about reconstitute the Flying Tigers/American Volunteer Squadron? With the nose art.
National Jet Rental...bomb like a pro.
If the story about the pilot steering the plane to a rice paddy is true, then he is a true hero.
It’s important we stay focused on US interests here.
Just basic stuff...
What would be the loss of interests if China took over Taiwan?
What is the cost, in money and blood, if we prevent it?
If we are not 100% committed to defending Taiwan from China in all scenarios, we have no business providing them F-35s. Especially since we can freely export F-16s and F-15s and other tech/hardware.
But if they station them on Guam wont the island tip over and sink .....?
When living in Taiwan, I met some higher ups in the KMT. They claimed that Taiwan, with the cooperation of Israel and South Africa, acquired nuclear weapons.
I’m not sure if Johnny Walker bravado played a part in these claims.
GREAT IDEA, LET’S LEASE THEM NUCLEAR WEAPONS! SERIOUSLY! THAT WOULD SCARE THE CRAP OUT OUT ASIA! COULD EVEN PUT THEM ON MOBILE CARRIERS AN RENT THEM OUT FOR RVING ON THE WEEKEND.
I would not at all put that out of the realm of possibility.
I lived for several years in Taiwan, quite some time ago. They were quite advanced, even way back then. Also on the mainland.
Both, a long, long time ago.
Taiwan was the side which, way back then, was the original mainland government.
They could certainly build a nuclear capability quickly, if they do not already have one.
Absolutely.
Would need a lot of simulator time if the planes weren’t available for flight to maintain some level of pilot proficiency.
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