Skywatcher
Captain
They just suggested to improved engineering capabilities.
Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter Gollevainen
- Start date
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Interesting report. It seems that Taiwan is getting closer and closer to getting new F-16s. And it seems more and more likely that Taiwan's small Mirage 2000-5 fleet could be on their last legs. I wonder if they'll sell them to somebody else? Also it seems that the PRC's response has been quieter than many analyst expected.
Skywatcher
Captain
66 F-16s are really going to do much, if the J-10B has the production run of other 4.5++ gen fighters.
Aero_Wing_32
Junior Member
Sorry, but THIS is not the voice of Obama administration.
This report gives comments/views and one particular analysis (among others!) from a bunch of US arms industry lobbyists (still very well implanted inside the US Senate!) afraid of losing their edge and their wide military interests in Taiwan.
Nothing more.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Thats what I thought to but theres so much information for and against the sale. I don't know who 'Wendell Minnick' is butthere seemsto be a lot of 'news' about a deal getting closer. That may not be the case but there seems to be hard lobbying by the ROC and Lockheed Martin.
The most noteworthy thing in the article is the claim of mothballing the ROCAF's Mirage 2000-5 fleet. Which is either, another lobbying trick or part of a small but increasing suggestion that maintaining the Mirage's is not worth the investment.
Mr T
Senior Member
Ok, guys, calm down. 
There is no official word that the F-16s will be sold. However, the public debate seems to have swung in Taiwan's favour. Congress, which can put pressure on the White House, appears to be part of that movement.
Furthermore, we've had confirmation that the sale is being considered. Bush's boys and girls didn't even admit to that and tried to deny Taiwan needed any new weapons. "Sources" (yes, I know it doesn't prove anything) have also started to say the sale will eventually go ahead. That didn't seem to happen last year and before.
So things seem encouraging.
Wendell is a defence correspondent and was sceptical of arms sales to Taiwan prior to October of last year, so he's not exactly an optimist by default.
There is no official word that the F-16s will be sold. However, the public debate seems to have swung in Taiwan's favour. Congress, which can put pressure on the White House, appears to be part of that movement.
Furthermore, we've had confirmation that the sale is being considered. Bush's boys and girls didn't even admit to that and tried to deny Taiwan needed any new weapons. "Sources" (yes, I know it doesn't prove anything) have also started to say the sale will eventually go ahead. That didn't seem to happen last year and before.
So things seem encouraging.
Wendell is a defence correspondent and was sceptical of arms sales to Taiwan prior to October of last year, so he's not exactly an optimist by default.
Aero_Wing_32
Junior Member
Indirect and surely abusive denigration of competitors supplies is one usual thing and for sure not a casual one, coming from arm dealers or those who support them. I still believe that a full Mirage upgrade would be a good thing, but this kind of report won't mention it of course...
A full political support appears (to me) better/urgent, rather than a precipitately and even pushy F-16 sale to the ROC, with nothing behind...
Thank you for the Taiwanese.
I recall a few years back, the Indian AF expressed their preference for the Mirage 2000-5 over other aircraft (F-16, MiG-29?), but the deal couldn't be completed in time before France shut-down the Mirage-2000 production line.
I'm curious as to what India is paying for their Mirage-2000 maintenance vs. ROCAF?? If they're extremely expensive to maintain, then I can't see the Indian AF willing to maintain a larger fleet of Mirage jets.
I'm curious as to what India is paying for their Mirage-2000 maintenance vs. ROCAF?? If they're extremely expensive to maintain, then I can't see the Indian AF willing to maintain a larger fleet of Mirage jets.
Aero_Wing_32
Junior Member
Some like to spread bad rumors on competitors. Like I said above, it s a traditional way to push and force a deal. But it s dirty.
India is discussing/negociating with Dassault for a complete upgrade of their Mirages to the 2000-9 standard. And things are going well.
India is discussing/negociating with Dassault for a complete upgrade of their Mirages to the 2000-9 standard. And things are going well.