AIPEI (AFX) - Taiwan is considering buying 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to upgrade its aging air force fleet and counter what it perceives as a growing military threat from China, the US-based weekly Defense News reported, citing a US defense source.
The acquisition of the advanced model F-16C/D Block 52 fighter jets will be discussed during talks in Washington on May 25-29 between the two countries, the report said.
Taiwan's air force consists of 146 less sophisticated F-16A/B fighters, 128 locally produced Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), 56 French-made Mirage 2000-5s and 60 or so aging F-5 Tigers.
'Even if Taiwan decides to purchase the aircraft this year, Taiwan won't see the aircraft until 2011-2012 due to paperwork and production timeline. By that time, the IDFs will be close to 20 years old and the F-16A/Bs will be over 15 years old,' the source told the weekly.
Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on the report.
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2006/05/16/afx2748599.html
The acquisition of the advanced model F-16C/D Block 52 fighter jets will be discussed during talks in Washington on May 25-29 between the two countries, the report said.
Taiwan's air force consists of 146 less sophisticated F-16A/B fighters, 128 locally produced Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), 56 French-made Mirage 2000-5s and 60 or so aging F-5 Tigers.
'Even if Taiwan decides to purchase the aircraft this year, Taiwan won't see the aircraft until 2011-2012 due to paperwork and production timeline. By that time, the IDFs will be close to 20 years old and the F-16A/Bs will be over 15 years old,' the source told the weekly.
Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on the report.
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2006/05/16/afx2748599.html
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