Taiwan seeks 66 F-16 fighters -US official

[Soroush]

*sigh* why the same deal over, It's just another big mistake. They should start buying F-15 varients because it's the only fighter jet that "can" go up against the biggest threat from PLAAF J-10/J-11A.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Taiwan is seeking to buy as many as 66 advanced Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16 fighter aircraft over a period of five to 10 years to guard its skies from any Chinese assault, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Such a deal could be worth as much as $5.5 billion based on prices quoted by the Pentagon last month for up to 36 such F-16s and related gear sought by Pakistan.

Taiwan's Air Force has been pursuing the Block 50/52 F-16C single-seat configuration and F-16D two-seat version for at least a year, said the official, who asked not to be named.

Its "top priority is to protect the skies," said the official. He said the F-16C/Ds would replace the Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter, F-5 supersonic fighter and perhaps Mirage 2000 multirole fighter built by Dassault of France.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060727/wl_nm/arms_usa_taiwan_dc;_ylt=AujFw9BIebUhMvRD0aglHGZvaA8F;_ylu=X3 oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

[Hellas]

*sigh* why the same deal over, It's just another big mistake. They should start buying F-15 varients because it's the only fighter jet that "can" go up against the biggest threat from PLAAF J-10/J-11A.


i dont know?? cheaper? i would get the f-18 or wait untill they can get the JSF comes out

[Soroush]

i dont know?? cheaper? i would get the f-18 or wait untill they can get the JSF comes out

F-18 could be a good choice but just not good enough to meet their demands, JSF so far has been sold to Israel and possibly Signapore soon but Taiwan needs something that can strike deep within China for counter-measures and that's something the F-15 is good at.

[Hellas]

F-18 could be a good choice but just not good enough to meet their demands, JSF so far has been sold to Israel and possibly Signapore soon but Taiwan needs something that can strike deep within China for counter-measures and that's something the F-15 is good at.


u think Taiwan would strike back??? i thought it would be pure defense

[attitude]

Perfect plane for Taiwan would be the Eurofighter
It would turn them back into fortress Taiwan like the old days
100 Eurofighters would be adequate deterence against China
While 100 Eurofighters is excessive for a country like Saudi Arabia at 58 billion
It is great for a country like Taiwan who have a massive threat in the form of China with their massive airforce which includes the Su-27/Su-30, J-10 and the F-8II

[Soroush]

u think Taiwan would strike back??? i thought it would be pure defense

did you ever heard of what multi-role fighters can do:confused: , Taiwan eventually has to strike back to repel attacks other wise if they keep defending they will be over runned!. Just because Taiwan labells itself as a defensive country doesn't mean they aren't going to attack back. Iran is a defensive country but it's still making first strike weaponry and obviously it has to mobolise it's force to stage an offensive from different parts of the middle east...

[Soroush]

Perfect plane for Taiwan would be the Eurofighter
It would turn them back into fortress Taiwan like the old days
100 Eurofighters would be adequate deterence against China
While 100 Eurofighters is excessive for a country like Saudi Arabia at 58 billion
It is great for a country like Taiwan who have a massive threat in the form of China with their massive airforce which includes the Su-27/Su-30, J-10 and the F-8II

the only problem is, what happens if China invades Taiwan with success and get's its hands on the EF?. Their best bet is american-made jets.

[Hellas]

did you ever heard of what multi-role fighters can do:confused: , Taiwan eventually has to strike back to repel attacks other wise if they keep defending they will be over runned!. Just because Taiwan labells itself as a defensive country doesn't mean they aren't going to attack back. Iran is a defensive country but it's still making first strike weaponry and obviously it has to mobolise it's force to stage an offensive from different parts of the middle east...

yes yes i know....

[Tbagger]

The real problem is not in the planes. Taiwan does not have enough munitions to arm its air force and navy in a prolonged conflict.

[Black_zero]

China will be angry on this deal.china was give statment that US breaking treaty.

[attitude]

the only problem is, what happens if China invades Taiwan with success and get's its hands on the EF?. Their best bet is american-made jets.

True, but if China were to invade i wouldn't expect any thing to be left intact for China to get their hands on when all is said and done
Most Taiwanese jets would be destroyed in air combat or on the ground. And any personell remaining would likely destroy any aircraft to prevent the Chinese getting hold of them

[Black_zero]

i think taiwan is part of china ...and taiwan should not buy weapons.beacuse if taiwan live with china then they will get more benefit

[attitude]

I think the people have the right to decide which counry they want to be a part off
If the population wants re-unification with China then fine
If they want independence then thats their right
In the end re-unification will benefit both China and Taiwan as they are both world leaders in the exports and re-unification would make them an economic powerhouse in the world whether they are communist or democratic
Still i predict China will ditch communism in about 20 to 30 years and then there will be a peaceful re-unification between China and Taiwan.

[andrew]

The main issue here is money. Taiwan can save a lot from training and logistic cost, since there are already 140+ F16s there in service. The major purpose of these fighters is to maintain air superiority around the island before the Americans arrive. Therefore there is no need to buy much more expensive F18s or F15s.

[Roy.cn]

I think the people have the right to decide which counry they want to be a part off
If the population wants re-unification with China then fine
If they want independence then thats their right
In the end re-unification will benefit both China and Taiwan as they are both world leaders in the exports and re-unification would make them an economic powerhouse in the world whether they are communist or democratic
Still i predict China will ditch communism in about 20 to 30 years and then there will be a peaceful re-unification between China and Taiwan.

It's a joy,
do you know some people in taiwan's city wanted to stand along from Taiwan,
but it was not allowed by Taiwan goverment,
our company is found in taiwan ,so I can read lots newspapers from Taiwan.
Sometimes,person's right should be kept within bounds by the common's right,
that is to say Taiwan's standing along needs china's permit and it's impossibly.

[Roy.cn]

Maybe they will buy these fighters 20 years later.
Do you remember their order on 8 submarines,
U.S. gave a terrible price maybe about twice than common,
and Taiwan's parliament did not allow to pass this purchase.
I don't know whether they pass this one......

[Black_zero]

US fear from china..and US want that tawian fight against china"

[Roy.cn]

US fear from china..and US want that tawian fight against china"

U.S. is taking precautions against China now,
I think the war between Mainland and Taiwan isn't the largest benefit of America.......

[indian_sukhoi]

Does anyone know what kind of F-16s Block will the taiwan gets. I mean did the US offered Taiwan F-16 Block 50/52 F-16C with AESA radar and new weapons suytem.

[Tbagger]

Does anyone know what kind of F-16s Block will the taiwan gets. I mean did the US offered Taiwan F-16 Block 50/52 F-16C with AESA radar and new weapons suytem.
I think Taiwan has the older versions of the F-16, like block 20s I think.

[Roy.cn]

I think Taiwan has the older versions of the F-16, like block 20s I think.

Right,Taiwan has the older versions of the F-16 with the number of 146 such as F-16A/B........

[Kenjpn]

what is the difference from F-16A/B and the newer one?

[Tbagger]

what is the difference from F-16A/B and the newer one?
New engine, radar, avionics, and night attack capability.