Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Mr T said:

Yes, Aero, good idea.

I think the proposed upgrades for the existing fleet suggest that new fighters would have the AN/APG-68(V)9 radar as is usual. I don't think it would get AESA as only the United Arab Emirates Air Force have those in their Block 60s.

Although AESA is something Taiwan might like to have, I don't think it's critical at this point.

Does anyone else have a view on how new F-16s might be configured?

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I would say similar to Poland's fleet of F-16C/D 50/52+ sans conformal fuel tanks. The American's probably don't want to release the AN/APG-80 AESA radar to Taiwan, and the range offered by the conformal fuel tanks would also be a hard sell.

Mr T said:

Does anyone else have a view on how new F-16s might be configured?

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As was already mentioned, there is no indication that the US government is contemplating the sale of AESA radar equiped, Block 60 F-16's to Taiwan. The aircraft that would be offered would likely be Block 52+ aircraft similar to the order for 24 such fighters placed by Morocco.


Greece is similarly taking delivery this year for its follow-on order of 30 Block 52+ aircraft:


And of course, Pakistan has its own order in queue for 18 Block 52+ aircraft.

These aircraft are all capable of accepting conformal saddle tanks to extend their range. Radar units would be APG-68(V)9. EW warfare suites are usually custom to each air force.

As for whether Taiwan would be offered the fuel tanks to go with the aircraft, as several forum members have pointed out, this maybe a bone of contention. Given that "everyone else has them", and the expanded capabilities of the PLAAF (between the J-10 and J-11), Taiwan could still make a case that it needs the added capability to maintain a balance of power. Taiwan is also not expected to be offered the F-35 at any point in the foreseeable future. Another reason that they might argue for as many extra's as possible to go with their F-16's.

Given the state of the US economy, this sale is as much about preserving US jobs as it is about fulfilling obligations to Taiwan. If Taiwan ever wants to make this sale happen, the time is now.

Semi-Lobster said:

Interesting develop and indicative of Washington's willingness to rearm Taiwan's aging military. I don't think anybody would have doubted the stinger sale going through with the apache deal having gone through.

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The Obama administration has already started approving contracts from the Bush administration, so I don't think this is indicative of anything other than the fact the outstanding items that have had congressional notifications will be honoured. It might also show that the Apaches themselves will have a contract signed soon.

unknauthr said:

As for whether Taiwan would be offered the fuel tanks to go with the aircraft, as several forum members have pointed out, this maybe a bone of contention.

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Taiwan also already has them on the IDFs. There's little point in the US not giving them for the F-16s.

By the way, Kurt Campbell has been confirmed in his office so can start officially looking at all these matters.

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It probably didn't help matters that the Leclerc and Cesar would be vastly overpriced.

kliu0 said:

Supposedly the reason the French sent officials to Taiwan last year, was to push for Taiwan to give up on the La Fayette scandal. In return the French officials would sell LeClerc tanks and CAESAR 155mm artillery and possibly other arms.

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Interesting. Didn't you post something on that Leclercs and CAESAR a while ago? So it appears they were a potential bribe to get Taiwan to drop the case rather than a sign of France wanting to sell them anyway. Definitely the right decision not to agree as Taiwan doesn't really need those. They might be useful but not to throw all that money away - something like $1.5 billion from the French government and Thales.

I think the one critical technology that the ROC military would want from the French, is SSK. India paid $3 billion for 6 Scopene SSK's with tech transfer and local assembly in India.

...but then if ROCN and procured French subs, the French would probably charge a lot of $$ for parts and maintenance contract to pad grease payments. ;p

Does Taiwan have the capability to build those 800ton~ SSKs, like the French SSK Andrasta?
I know they can't do much, but seems like a nice defensive weapon. It might also help them to establish the industry needed to build bigger subs, like the 2000ton Scorpenes.

optionsss said:

Does Taiwan have the capability to build those 800ton~ SSKs, like the French SSK Andrasta?

I know they can't do much, but seems like a nice defensive weapon. It might also help them to establish the industry needed to build bigger subs, like the 2000ton Scorpenes.

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Taiwan's main shipbuilder said that they could make a submarine with a design using aspects of the Ula and TR-1700 classes. I don't know if they passed comment on how big it would be.

I think the problem is more to do with making them quiet and having decent systems than building something "large". Besides, I don't think Taiwan needs soemthing the size of a Scorpene provided it has enough torpedoes and provision for UGM-84s.

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