US moves forward to sell 8 submarines to Taiwan(China whines)

rense.com ^ | 4-10-2 | unknown

[demlosers]

A US military team is to soon travel to Taiwan, bearing proposals for the sale of up to eight diesel electric submarines, to make good on a promise by President George W. Bush, a Pentagon spokesman said.

The team, consisting of US Navy officials and members of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, are to deliver a variety of design and construction proposals drawn up by contractors, Lieutenant Commander Jeff Davis said.

"The president made a commitment to Taiwan last April to help it procure diesel submarines," he said. "That commitment was made in earnest and we intend to make good on it."

Beijing reacted with fury last year when the Taiwanese arms package was unveiled, but so far Taipei has not acted on offers of submarines or four Kidd-class destroyers.

The United States neither owns nor builds diesel electric submarines itself and so had been expected to turn to European contractors for designs.

Davis would not identify the contractors that have submitted proposals for the submarines or say whether they included foreign contractors.

"We have received a number of viable proposals from industry," he said. "We are in the processs of reviewing and assessing those proposals."

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the development, said both Northrop Grumman Corp. and General Dynamics Corp. have offered "concept" proposals on how they would they would build the subs.

[demlosers]

Keeping the Commies in check.

[Centurion2000]

heh ... the commie rats must be worried about 8 subs having a field day with their future invasion force.

To the Chicoms: Imagine the effect of a 600mm torpedo, or God forbid a nuclear torpedo on your oil tankers and troop carriers.

[Reactionary]

I have to say that I love it. Perhaps the commie Chinese will think twice before spouting off about "The One-China Policy."

[SolitaryMan]

Considering the ChiComs lack of sophitcated anti-sub sensors and weapons, the Taiwanese would have a field day. But with the ChiComs huge buildup of medium range surface to surface missiles, I doubt the little diesel subs would have much to do.

SGuy

[MadRobotArtist]

Here's something to ponder, What if Taiwan is only a ruse, and they are actually unified? What if they are amassing weapons from Taiwan that we give them? What if Taiwan is and has always been part of China, and are part of the Chinese agenda to arm themselves with state of the art weaponry to keep us out of the East?

Something to ponder...

[solzhenitsyn]

You nailed it. This is big, because it makes an invasion of Taiwan much dicier.

It was a gutsy thing for President Bush to do, but paradoxically, it was also the prudent thing to do, for the long run. This is certain to make China angry with us, but they won't go to war over it. However, if Taiwan were to become weak enough militarily that China was tempted to attack, that could certainly draw us into a war.

I'm delighted to see the President standing tall and doing the right thing. Anyone think Al Gore would have done this?

[gridlock]

Didn't one of our defense contractors just buy the largest German producer of diesel/electric submarines? I guess it's not a foriegn company anymore!

The ChiComms don't have to worry, though. I'm sure that when Hillary! is President she will sell them all of the classified information and acoustical signatures the Chicomms need to track these boats.

[demlosers]

Something to ponder...

When China becomes becomes an advocate for personal freedom, has free press, establishes a fair justice system, has a representative government, uphold human rights, and freedom of religion, reunification can begin. Until that time, they can forget about a being one-China.

[Ten Megaton Solution]

"the little diesel subs"...

"little"? USS Tusk - 312 feet by 27 feet beam. Displaces nearly 2000 tons. Not a Los Angeles class, but put eight of those patrolling the Sea of Japan and the Taiwan Strait, with cruise missiles and Taiwan will no longer be hostage to China's good intentions.

If they get some nukes to load in, even better.

And modern submarine designs would be far more efficient than this archaic WWII museum piece.

[Severa]

well that IS little given that the LA class sub my husband works on (he's a sonar tech) is roughly 360ft long, botu 33ft wide, and displaces about 6900 tons. *L*

[Leisler]

Why not nuclear? There is nothing unique, generate some heat, convert to steam and away you go. Bolt in a O2 system and light'm up.

[PokeyJoe]

Rense.com?

(/sarcasm) Why don't you cite a real source.... like Debka? (/sarcasm off)

Golly Gee Willikers.... and to think that my sister once dated a moose...

[SolitaryMan]

Not sure if you have been on any modern diesel boats, I have been on British, German, Norwegean and Canadian boats, and they are small. My point is that China is building up its medium range ballistic missiles to pound Taiwan into submission. They are acurate and can deliver a variety of payloads. All China has to do is launch a hundred or so and Taiwan, being unable to protect itself, will probably surrender. The little diesel boats would be called off. BUT the diesel boats could easily patrol the entire width of the straights.

[SolitaryMan]

Take a look at my web site. I think your husband will like some of the pictures I made. 20 year bubblehead.

[willyone]

Saint Hillary would never sell any information that could harm the United States. She would give it to them.

[aristeides]

Are those Chinese missiles accurate even despite electronic countermeasures? Are their launch pads invulnerable to attack?

[willyone]

Test depth. Been awhile since I have been there. Neat web site. I will tell some of my bubblehead friends about it. Ever been to the Whiney and Moo in Vallejo? Gone now but there is one on Barnett in San Diego that Jimmys son Mike runs.

[IVote2]

Taiwan has become a huge center for electronic companies and they enjoy their freedom to expand and grow their country. Why would they be a shill for Communism and lack of freedom?

I worry more about an invasion of this little island which if you have done any reading at all about the subject, you would know is in the long term plans by the Chinese.

I'm glad we are selling them subs, too bad we didn't do it sooner.