US confirms $5bn Taiwan F-16 fighter jet upgrade

[Zabaniyah]

The US has confirmed plans to upgrade Taiwan's ageing fleet of F-16 US-built fighter planes.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has warned Washington not to proceed with the $5bn (£3bn) deal.

China's foreign ministry expressed his country's "strong indignation" over the move, saying it would damage ties.

But the US is legally bound to help Taiwan defend itself, and the move comes as China's military superiority over Taiwan has steadily increased.

China's Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun called the decision "grave interference" in the country's internal affairs which sent a "gravely mistaken signal to pro-Taiwan independence separatist forces".

In a statement on the ministry's website, Mr Zhang said: "It must be pointed out that this wrongful course by the US side will unavoidably damage Sino-American relations and co-operation and exchanges in the military, security and other fields".

Combat capability

However, the announcement suggests the US will not now sell Taiwan a newer generation of F-16, as Taipei had hoped.

US officials said the F-16 A/B fighters will undergo a retrofit which will bring them up to the same standards as the more advanced C/D models.

"After the upgrade, the air force's combat capability will be advanced hugely," Taiwanese Defence Minister Kao Hua-chu said at a late-night press conference in Taipei.


The defence ministry said Taiwan remained under threat from China's military expansion.

"Improving our defence capability is a crucial and only measure to sustain regional security and stable development across the strait," it said in a statement.

But Taiwan also said it would continue its attempts to purchase more than 60 of the C/D planes, which are considered more of a match for China's latest war planes.

Taipei said that decision was still pending in the US and urged officials to agree to it.

Washington's decision will now pass to Congress for approval.

Some analysts say the move is designed to appease Beijing, which had warned that relations would suffer if the sale went ahead.

Source: BBC News - US confirms $5bn Taiwan F-16 fighter jet upgrade

 

[DelhiDareDevil]

Good decision by USA, but Taiwan should of saved the $5b to go towards buying F-35, even though it may take a year longer.

China cant attack Taiwan and USA sitting all idle.

 

[Zabaniyah]

Good decision by USA, but Taiwan should of saved the $5b to go towards buying F-35, even though it may take a year longer.

That is if the US is willing to give Taiwan F-35s.

If the US was ever serious or committed about the Taiwan issue, it should have made Taiwan a member of the JSF program from the very beginning!

 

[DelhiDareDevil]

That is if the US is willing to give Taiwan F-35s.

If the US was ever serious or committed about the Taiwan issue, it should have made Taiwan a member of the JSF program from the very beginning!

India is not part of the JSF, but they want to sell to us.

Maybe same thing could apply to Taiwan.

 

[Zabaniyah]

India is not part of the JSF, but they want to sell to us.

Maybe same thing could apply to Taiwan.

If I am not mistaken, India was once offered to join JSF, but declined in favor of continuing with FGFA.

Although the F-35 is still the most feasible 5th generation fighter for the navy (that is if India really intends to add 5th generation fighters to its future aircraft carriers).

It is hard to say about Taiwan, the Americans refused to sell additional F-16s to Taiwan. They'd need a lot more than F-16s and Mirages if they want to fight the PLA head on. Much of the equipment in other branches are also outdated.

 

[VKVM]

not here.......

 

[DelhiDareDevil]

----------------------------

 

[oct605032048]

Good decision by USA, but Taiwan should of saved the $5b to go towards buying F-35, even though it may take a year longer.

China cant attack Taiwan and USA sitting all idle.

Wet dreams.
Uncle Sam don't even wanna/dare sell new F-16 to ww let along F-35.

 

[no_name]

F-35 won't be sold to Taiwan, it won't be sold to S/Korea, it probably won't be sold to Japan.
Not for a quite a long time if ever.

 

[manojb]

Why chin is worried about few 3rd gen f16? Plaf has more sofisticated fighters, no? Now they built stealth also.

 

[no_name]

For them it's more a case of principle rather than the weapon specs.

Just like India won't be happy even if China just sent a few boxfull of AKs to maoists.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

This dream is so wet I can feel the wetness even in cyber space

 

[Zabaniyah]

The US is willing to offer F-35 to ROK.

The South Korean air force rates all of the Western competitors for its F-X Phase 3 fighter program, including the F-35 Lightning, as capable of meeting the in-service date of 2016, an assessment that appears to raise the chances of the Lockheed Martin aircraft.

Even if the South Korean air force’s assessment is not realistic, the expression of that view at least means that the service is willing to proceed as if the F-35 complies fully with its requirements. And if the air force is bending the rules for the F-35, then it seems to be showing a preference for it.

On the other hand, the F-X Phase 3 program could be delayed, giving more time for Lockheed Martin to meet the schedule. The company has said it could deliver aircraft to South Korea in 2016—but that is not the same as establishing an operational capability.

South Korea Thinks F-35 Can Meet Schedule | AVIATION WEEK

As far as Japan is concerned, the Americans appear to be willing:
Report: Lockheed Martin offers F-35 final assembly to Japan to win order - Washington Business Journal

Japan wanted F-22s, but seems impossible right now:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20090516a1.html
The F-22: Senate Votes to End Production - TIME

Sad, the F-22 is a gem of a bird

As far as Taiwan is concerned, impossible to say. Albeit very unlikely.

 

[Ganges Zephyr]

China warned USA, China warned India, China warned Vietnam and the list goes on...............

 

[applesauce]

China warned USA, China warned India, China warned Vietnam and the list goes on...............

apperently it partially worked as no new f-16's are getting shipped