Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter Gollevainen
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The_Zergling
Junior Member
The F-35 is unrealistic only because of price and US objections. It's definitely not cheap, but it is indeed seen as the "F-16" of the next generation, whereas the F-22 is more like the F-15. In of itself, the fighter is actually a good fit for Taiwan, assuming the weather isn't an issue. In particular, the ability for vertical or shortened takeoffs on smaller runways would be critical in response to a mass first-wave attack, given that it's likely that most of the major runways would be heavily damaged by ballistic missiles. Previously the only option would have been the AV-8B, which was notoriously difficult to operate and thus not worth the trouble.
The ROC's recently released quadrennial military review was interesting in that it ran counter to previous China-friendly drafts. The harder line is perhaps a criticism of the administration for giving up too much to China without getting anything in return. It seems like Ma has focused on fighting back against a ground assault, rather than contest the skies first. Again, it's possible that the administration is sort of writing off air defense because of the likelihood of runways getting destroyed, which again emphasizes the desire for F-35s. Doesn't hurt to ask - at the very least, politically the ball is shifted towards the United States for denying a sale, weakening criticism asserting that Taiwan is not serious about defense.
Seems like an interesting situation of the military holding different views of the government.
The ROC's recently released quadrennial military review was interesting in that it ran counter to previous China-friendly drafts. The harder line is perhaps a criticism of the administration for giving up too much to China without getting anything in return. It seems like Ma has focused on fighting back against a ground assault, rather than contest the skies first. Again, it's possible that the administration is sort of writing off air defense because of the likelihood of runways getting destroyed, which again emphasizes the desire for F-35s. Doesn't hurt to ask - at the very least, politically the ball is shifted towards the United States for denying a sale, weakening criticism asserting that Taiwan is not serious about defense.
Seems like an interesting situation of the military holding different views of the government.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
I wonder if (and in my opinion, when) the F-16 deal with the US fails, if the ROC government will finally come to its senses and set a tender for 60+ new aircraft with a set of realistic requirements for AIDC and a foriegn partner to actually follow rather than this fanciful F-35 talk.
Aero_Wing_32
Junior Member
World / Asia
17.03.2009 Source: Pravda.Ru
Washington loses 5 billion dollars in one day not to irritate China
The USA refused to sell 66 multi-purpose F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan because of the concerns of the Chinese administration, The Taipei Times wrote. Indeed, why would such a small country as Taiwan need such a large batch of fighter jets?
China has changed the balance of forces to its own advantage during the recent 15 years in the region. China’s Air Force presumably consists of Russian-made Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft. The country also uses its own fourth-generation F-10 aircraft. This fighter is a combination of the technologies used in Russia’s Su-27 and USA’s F-18.
The modernization of another Chinese fighter, FB-7 will give an opportunity to use it for night-time warfare above the sea surface.
Taiwan is perfectly aware of the fact that the communist leadership of China has never declined the idea of making the two countries become one, even if the military force was required for that.
Taiwan became even more concerned about its possible future problems when it surfaced that China would have at least one aircraft-carrier by 2012. It was also said that Beijing was going to purchase a batch of deck-based Su-33 fighters from Russia. These intentions will considerably increase China’s chances for a successful unification operation.
Taiwan tries to do its best to show that it is fully prepared to respond to possible aggression from China. The country annually holds military drills, the major goal of which is to train the battling capacities of the nation’s air force.
Most of Taiwan’s Air Force needs to be reequipped in order to accomplish its battle missions. Many of its F-5 fighters are over 30 years old. Taiwan also has earlier models of F-16 A/B aircraft, which the country purchased from Washington in 1992. Many of them will not be able to take off ever again because of the problems with spare parts supplies. The USA does not sell the new aircraft to Taiwan not to irritate China. Dozens of Taiwanese pilots were killed in air crashes during the recent ten years. >
Taiwan can provide only 30 percent of its own army needs. The rest will come from abroad, presumably from the United States. Taiwan has its own fourth-generation F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo aircraft, as well as the enhanced model of IDF-II Goshawk fighter, which AIDC Corporation built on the base of Ching-Quo IDF-1.
Taiwan can also find a different supplier, which could be a way out of the situation. Many other aircraft makers did not wish to ruin their relations with China. However, France does not seem to care much about its image in China. Taiwan has already replaced many of its F-5 fighters with 60 French Mirage-2000-5 planes. The French can also sell its Rafale fighters to Taiwan instead of F-16.
When Washington declined the deal to sell its aircraft to Taiwan, it lost almost $5 billion.
17.03.2009 Source: Pravda.Ru
Washington loses 5 billion dollars in one day not to irritate China
The USA refused to sell 66 multi-purpose F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan because of the concerns of the Chinese administration, The Taipei Times wrote. Indeed, why would such a small country as Taiwan need such a large batch of fighter jets?
China has changed the balance of forces to its own advantage during the recent 15 years in the region. China’s Air Force presumably consists of Russian-made Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft. The country also uses its own fourth-generation F-10 aircraft. This fighter is a combination of the technologies used in Russia’s Su-27 and USA’s F-18.
The modernization of another Chinese fighter, FB-7 will give an opportunity to use it for night-time warfare above the sea surface.
Taiwan is perfectly aware of the fact that the communist leadership of China has never declined the idea of making the two countries become one, even if the military force was required for that.
Taiwan became even more concerned about its possible future problems when it surfaced that China would have at least one aircraft-carrier by 2012. It was also said that Beijing was going to purchase a batch of deck-based Su-33 fighters from Russia. These intentions will considerably increase China’s chances for a successful unification operation.
Taiwan tries to do its best to show that it is fully prepared to respond to possible aggression from China. The country annually holds military drills, the major goal of which is to train the battling capacities of the nation’s air force.
Most of Taiwan’s Air Force needs to be reequipped in order to accomplish its battle missions. Many of its F-5 fighters are over 30 years old. Taiwan also has earlier models of F-16 A/B aircraft, which the country purchased from Washington in 1992. Many of them will not be able to take off ever again because of the problems with spare parts supplies. The USA does not sell the new aircraft to Taiwan not to irritate China. Dozens of Taiwanese pilots were killed in air crashes during the recent ten years. >
Taiwan can provide only 30 percent of its own army needs. The rest will come from abroad, presumably from the United States. Taiwan has its own fourth-generation F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo aircraft, as well as the enhanced model of IDF-II Goshawk fighter, which AIDC Corporation built on the base of Ching-Quo IDF-1.
Taiwan can also find a different supplier, which could be a way out of the situation. Many other aircraft makers did not wish to ruin their relations with China. However, France does not seem to care much about its image in China. Taiwan has already replaced many of its F-5 fighters with 60 French Mirage-2000-5 planes. The French can also sell its Rafale fighters to Taiwan instead of F-16.
When Washington declined the deal to sell its aircraft to Taiwan, it lost almost $5 billion.
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Aero_Wing_32
Junior Member
the translation is (for sure) terrible... :rofl:
Mr T
Senior Member
It's pravda - enough said about that. Aero, please don't waste our time like that again.
The US couldn't make $5 billion straight away. First it has to accept Taiwan's letter of intent. Ok, that doesn't have to take that long. But the next stage (congressional notification) can't be rushed. Then the contracts have to be agreed upon. Then the money starts to get paid, but not all in one go.
Taiwan couldn't afford to buy all of that list in on go, and even if it could it wouldn't make up for China's investment in US debt. The submarines are being held up/canned because of pressure from the USN, not China. Aegis technology is very sensitive. Taiwan hasn't formally requested Abrams yet. It looks like the Black Hawks will be sold eventually. The missiles are certainly offensive so would be difficult to convince China to let it go.
The US couldn't make $5 billion straight away. First it has to accept Taiwan's letter of intent. Ok, that doesn't have to take that long. But the next stage (congressional notification) can't be rushed. Then the contracts have to be agreed upon. Then the money starts to get paid, but not all in one go.
Taiwan couldn't afford to buy all of that list in on go, and even if it could it wouldn't make up for China's investment in US debt. The submarines are being held up/canned because of pressure from the USN, not China. Aegis technology is very sensitive. Taiwan hasn't formally requested Abrams yet. It looks like the Black Hawks will be sold eventually. The missiles are certainly offensive so would be difficult to convince China to let it go.