Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data for: the installation of the conformal fuel tanks of F-16C Block52 + fighter.

United States, “Defense News” magazine website reported September 16 Title: The White House will inform Congress on Taiwan’s F-16 decision

According to a Senior Assistant Congress said the administration planned September 16 meeting with Congress, not to sell Taiwan to convey its new F-16C/D fighter aircraft but instead to provide F-16A/B upgrade program decisions.

this assistant, said the White House need to explain why the reluctance to sell Taiwan more advanced aircraft.

State Department spokesman, said in an email: “The U.S. government on possible foreign military sales – including processes related to this – no comment, unless they have been formally notified Congress with the long-term consistent with U.S. policy since the U.S. arms sales to follow the “Taiwan Relations Act” and based on our assessment of Taiwan’s defense needs. to meet Taiwan’s defense needs a profound and lasting commitment to the United States, the current government is committed “and Taiwan Relations Act “to perform under the terms of this – promise and we just last year approved a $ 6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan.”

According to sources, the formal notification of this agreement will be responsible for managing Department of Defense of foreign arms sales, defense and security cooperation bureau released some time next week.

the White House’s decision will undoubtedly make some politicians on Capitol Hill feel uneasy, they have been promoting Obama release $ 8 billion of 66 F-16C/D fighter aircraft of the sales agreement.

Taiwan’s military sources and government officials said, Taipei (ROC) Economic and Cultural Representative Office since 2006, has four request permission to submit to the American Institute in Taiwan, a letter asking for F-16C/D of price and volume data are available, but informed by the U.S. Institute in Taiwan, letter of request was not accepted.

Taiwan is concerned, the issue becomes is a dilemma. Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to the American Institute in Taiwan can not submit a request letter, because the American Institute in Taiwan, the order is rejected by the State Council, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office has been informed because the U.S. State Department did not receive any letter, so I can not deal with correspondence .

United States, “Washington Post” reported on September 17 Title: No arms sales plan, including new aircraft

staff of the U.S. Congress on Friday In the introduction to the arms sales plan, said the administration proposed in the plan in the renovation of Taiwan arms sales to the aging F-16 fighter group, the plan does not contain any new aircraft.

Obama administration officials and Congressional staff said the president has not ruled out the sale to Taiwan may be the new F-16, but military analysts and members of Congress believe that the pooling of their sales in the last plan absence makes the sale of new aircraft is unlikely.

if no new aircraft sales to Taiwan, then the decision will be treated as Beijing’s victory, they are vehemently opposed to any arms sales to Taiwan, Taipei is also deeply frustrated reasons. Since 2006, Taipei has been request to purchase newer, more sophisticated F-16 to enhance its existing fleet of 145 aging.

U.S. proposal on Taiwan’s F-16 to modernize is generally expected, for the claim that Taiwan is urgently needed new aircraft may be bitter consolation prize.

“Washington Post”: impact on the island councils

the decision – Government officials declined to confirm – led some members of Congress anger, including Senator John Cornyn, Texas which they have a Lockheed Martin F-16 factory assembly. He and Senator Robert Menendez moved a motion asking the administration to sell Taiwan 66 new aircraft. The motion of the House version is also planned.

Cornyn’s office said in a statement: “If the reports are true, the administration today to surrender to communism in China on U.S. foreign policy will become a sad day, but also to a staunch ally and long-term partner of a slap in the face. “

At the same time, Congressional staff is considering measures to restrict the administration of military exchanges with China in bilateral funds.

According to Congressional staff, said Friday in a secret White House meeting to members of Congress talked about a new sales plan. The news coincided with the emergence of Taiwan’s presidential elections in January and ready to face serious questions about air power crucial moment.

Taiwan, about 60 aircraft in the 1970s is the F-5. Just this week, two training aircraft crashed in the mountains, this model is the latest in a series of accidents.

the accident accounted for a substantial Taiwanese newspaper layout and people more keenly aware that General Douglas MacArthur was called “unsinkable aircraft carrier” of the island of Taiwan is losing its military capabilities, At a time when China is becoming more and more powerful.

Taiwan’s deputy defense minister Andrew Yang said in an interview in Taipei, Taiwan, Washington will be a flagrant denial as “very important political signal that the United States is perhaps the other backward, backward China” .

Andrew Yang warned that the weakening of the Air Force fleet may mean that the U.S. military to protect its allies to bear a greater burden. According to current and former U.S. officials said the U.S. military, particularly in the Pacific Command of the many people agree with this view and hope that the Taiwan purchase new aircraft.

controversy for this problem are seeking re-election of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is likely to become a political factor. Ma Ying-jeou has repeatedly stressed the need to purchase new aircraft, in his re-election is considered almost certain, but now he faces a strong challenge from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which is good pay for his China policy and defense issues as well handle critical.

“Yomiuri Shimbun”: the United States two thankless

Japan’s “Yomiuri Shimbun” reported on September 18 Title: give up arms, the United States take into account both in Taiwan (Reporters Kurose Wyatt as from Washington)

US-Taiwan relations, according to sources, Obama 16, decided to give up power sales to Taiwan new F-16C/D fighter aircraft. I believe this is very disappointing not only for Taiwan, China, Congress would have been fierce criticism from hardliners. On the other hand, the United States to help Taiwan upgrade existing F-16A/B’s performance, but also inevitably be subject to China’s opposition. Obama on arms sales to Taiwan despite taking into account the feelings of both sides, but the result ended up two thankless.

, who declined to be named, say US-Taiwan relations, although I welcome the United States upgraded F-16A/B performance, to help modernize Taiwan’s air force of this gesture, but they can not only fight China’s growing military.

interrupted last year because of arms sales to Taiwan and military exchanges this year in the United States managed to re-start, the United States made the decision apparently to avoid China’s opposition. However, the U.S. preferred to avoid the friction that attitude will only further encourage China’s momentum, the situation in East Asia is likely to cause adverse effects.

Currently, Taiwan’s decision to the United States upset. A Defense Department official said that if Taiwan’s arms do not prevent recession in the introduction of new fighter aircraft, that Taiwan’s air defense will face a major crisis in a few years.

According to Taiwan media reports, the United States to provide Taiwan with only fifth-generation fighter F-22, F-35 equipped on the new radar system that can effectively take advantage of China next-generation fighter, “F-20″ Dynamic . However, with the rapid development of China’s new fighter, equipped with new missiles have also been behind a lot.