Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

kliu0 said:

I agree, France is unlikely to sell any weapons.

Hahahaha. So true. I love how the KMT complained how it was too expensive... and they ended up buying it all and at a more expensive price.

The J-20 will cause a fast track in sales of new F-16s and upgrades. I'm thinking that Arleigh Burke frigates could potentially be sold, they've been long forgotten over the past decade and prove a vital role in air defence networks.

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The problem is, F-16 is a generation obsolete in comparison with J-20. Yes it'd be years before J-20 reach IOC phase and the first J-20 regiment to achieve full combat readiness, but unless USAF transfer F-16C/Ds from its active roster, it'd be at best just a few years ahead of J-20's schedule and then it'd be obsolete just the same - - it'd still take years to queue behind the current orders from other countries, and more time if and when the order placed after the production line closed (need time to re-open the lines).
And F-35? That might be possible but again, as being non-participant of the project, the order priority would be behind even that of S.Korea and Japan, and by then J-20 should've reach IOC as well.

What China is doing at this time is to tell the Taiwanese no point to waste money, that they've lost both the quantity and quality part of the game...unless the Taiwanese willing to sacrifice every niceties they've right now and embark the "N.Korea path", throw tons of money into defence and do that for at least 2 decades hence...nobody in Taiwan is willing to do that.

kliu0 said:

I'm thinking that Arleigh Burke frigates could potentially be sold, they've been long forgotten over the past decade and prove a vital role in air defence networks.

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Assuming that Taipei can cough up the $6-10 billion for Arleigh Burke destroyers (you'd need at least three to four to be useful), unless you want to be stuck with the LCS-1 "Aegis lite".

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Taiwan's problem is that, for the last 20 years, they lack the heart and determination to really support indigenous armament, not pouring enough funding and priority to local industries...self-reliant was once backed with real action and to a certain degree the technological and manpower bases were established, in quality that China would envy; then comes the festering mentality of "import is better" then the local industries get neglected again.
Worse, banking your dreams of independence on American GIs to save the day - it might work if and only if Taiwan would fight like lions, like the Israelis, but the overall impression of Taiwan give me is anything but - if the society from the MPs to the common folks are un-supportive of the military, which its fighting bulk is still make up of conscripts, how much fighting spirit can we expect from them?

I have to say most people I know here in Taiwan what a better military and would pay more money to fund local development, but it's mostly the politicians (KMT) not working with each other that is de-railing Taiwan's military, not the will of the people, but this is getting off topic.
On topic, is it possible for Taiwan to develop a 4.5 generation fighter on its own and a submarine? I have to admit I forgot about the Arleigh Burkes, are being offered now? What about something akin to the Nansen class "frigates" Norway has, Taiwan should be able to design a similar ship with America providing Aegis?

druid84 said:

I have to say most people I know here in Taiwan what a better military and would pay more money to fund local development, but it's mostly the politicians (KMT) not working with each other that is de-railing Taiwan's military, not the will of the people, but this is getting off topic.
On topic, is it possible for Taiwan to develop a 4.5 generation fighter on its own and a submarine? I have to admit I forgot about the Arleigh Burkes, are being offered now? What about something akin to the Nansen class "frigates" Norway has, Taiwan should be able to design a similar ship with America providing Aegis?

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So long as the core components of the AEGIS system still has to purchase from the US, the US could kill the Taiwan's project with ease, not to mention VLS modules.

As for submarines, IIRC the local shipyard actually demonstrated their workmanship by actually built a small section of a sub hull, thus in terms of hull it'd be just a matter of investment; but the tricky parts would be the propulsion system, AIP system, sonar, latest torpedoes - all those have to be imported and especially the AIP system only a few countries make them and they tend to be those who won't sell those things to Taiwan, even if they do it'd have to via proxy, even if you disregard the problems such channel would bring, it still leaves the question of service-lifetime maintenance, if Taiwan can't master it then all would be for naught.

druid84 said:

I have to say most people I know here in Taiwan what a better military and would pay more money to fund local development, but it's mostly the politicians (KMT) not working with each other that is de-railing Taiwan's military, not the will of the people, but this is getting off topic.
On topic, is it possible for Taiwan to develop a 4.5 generation fighter on its own and a submarine? I have to admit I forgot about the Arleigh Burkes, are being offered now? What about something akin to the Nansen class "frigates" Norway has, Taiwan should be able to design a similar ship with America providing Aegis?

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Way too late for that, bud!

Regarding the Air Force, the first priority is for sure to obtain an entire upgrade of both the entire F-16 fleet (to C/D standard), and of the Mirage 2000 fleet (to 2k9 - UAE - standard), like recently seen in India.

Besides, getting a fleet of more advanced aircrafts, 4.5 fighters like Gripen NG, Typhoon or Rafale, would appear as a another priority, given the fact that the aging F-5 fleet is now a millstone around Taiwan neck...

Hence, that will balance the 2 military powers of the Taiwan strait. Otherwise, that would be the end of the ROCAF for good. With terrible aftermath for the ROC... Is the KMT aware of it? I also discussed this topic with people in Taiwan, they are terribly afraid of this viewpoint, wondering what s happening. Maybe used as a puppet through the hands of the chinese communists yet.

While the US could care less about China's protest, the French would falter easily at the slightest hiss from China. So easier to put the chips on the F-16 C/D Block 52 (Block 60 even, now with a Congress hostile against China) than the Mirage 2000-9.

MwRYum said:

While the US could care less about China's protest, the French would falter easily at the slightest hiss from China. So easier to put the chips on the F-16 C/D Block 52 (Block 60 even, now with a Congress hostile against China) than the Mirage 2000-9.

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With french with never know... We did not expect a Mirage deal in the 90s.

Anyway with the right party leading France, totally "offered" to chinese lobbyists (dangerous position, badly felt by french opinion), I doubt they will sell weaponry to the ROC in the upcoming years!

If the left democratic wing comes into power, things may change.

A new showdown is looming between China and the United States over arms sales to Taiwan. The Obama administration privately has decided to sell a new arms package to the island but is keeping details secret until after next week's visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao...

Defense sources said Taiwan's request to buy more modern F-16s is still being considered, but the upgrade package is assured.

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