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Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
F16 remains the safer bet.
It hasn't happened in 8 decades(many shooting conflicts, on the other hand, did).

On the other hand, issue with bases goes nowhere(or, to be precise, it only grows worse and worse).
F-16V* force of this size is a capable deterrent, sure, but only if it is airborne.


*comparatively far less credible than original f-16/mirage/f-ck-1 force back in the 1990-s - early 2000s, though
 
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Mr T

Senior Member
F16 remains the safer bet.

Agreed for now. The US is unlikely to sell F-35s for at least another few years - possibly a decade. The security issues are too high, and also Taiwan would probably be better off spending the difference between F-35s and F-16Vs on things like more mobile HF-III launchers, fast-attack craft, the submarine programme, etc.
 

Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
i disagree what it would be better. it won't.
capability difference is crucial in this certain case, as is simple ability to sustain the attrition rate in a hig-end conventional conflict for reasonable amounts of time.
 

Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
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btw, as expected.
Amid China's military buildup across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan is building its own next-generation fighter jets while seeking to acquire the latest fighters from the United States, the island's Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Wu Pao-kun, director of the ministry's Department of Strategic Planning, told a press conference that the next-generation aircraft must possess stealth characteristics and be capable of short take-offs, without elaborating.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
It hasn't happened in 8 decades(many shooting conflicts, on the other hand, did).
I assume you are referring to:
Given the local security issues and indigenous designs that Taiwan partakes of from time to time as well as on the ground political landscape it will be a fourth gen F16V.
As well as they hypothetical unification.
It is true the Island has yet to find it's self in a position of unification, however the possibility exists. For the moment the Politics seems set against it.
However there are other factors here that need to be considered. 1)F35 at the moment is the very edge of VLO design and technology. It's flight computers and Avionics are in constant update and it's systems are still developing.
As I indicate.
Although F35B would be a major boon to the ROCAF
issue with bases goes nowhere(or, to be precise, it only grows worse and worse).
F-16V* force of this size is a capable deterrent, sure, but only if it is airborne.
We agree here.
It's ability to take off and land vertically is excellent as is it's speed compared to any previous VTOL fiģhter.
However it is It's VLO design and technology that would be a major advantage against the 4th gen fleet of the PLA, that creates a bit of a major issue.
The VLO coatings mission systems and Avionics that form the true heart of the F35 and are already becoming the back bone of American and Western military aviation face a critical security issue in regards to Taiwan. The Taiwanese military has security issues. Although it has been decades since the last major defection, even the PRC has jokes openly about just wanting one F35.
Getting F35 On the ground in the ROCAF would involve a large degree of security access and risk.
The Taiwanese also have a want of trying to integrate and develop there own weapons and kit that would need source code access.
The proximity to the PRC is also it's self an issue. The US being the only nation as yet to actually have an operating fleet of VLO aircraft has gone out of its way to not openly use it's true VLO signatures near technologically advanced potential adversaries. Mounting of Radar reflectors and external stores in F22 and F35 as well as careful selection of when and where to use assets.

Taiwan is proverbial spitting distance from mainland China and if F35 landed on the Island the PRC would virtually microwave the Island looking for radar signatures.

End game as I see it here is strong points in the sky are out weighed by weak points in the air. For now the threats of the Mainland are 4th gen machines. The PRC doesn't have the 5th gen forces that absolutely justify a F35 contingent. Even if there was a need nearer term that force would be better if the Taiwanese upped there missile defence abilities. As even with the F35B on deck you still need hangers and fuel and maintenance even if it's inside a mountain fortress.
 

Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
The PRC doesn't have the 5th gen forces that absolutely justify a F35 contingent.
PRC is already building one, right as we speak.
Any f-35b purchase by Taiwan is weeeell into the future(i mean, actual IOC/FOC). Honestly, even the very process delayed so much what they openly revealed their own program(i.e. they expect to get their own fighter in a comparable or shorter timeframe).
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
PRC is already building one, right as we speak.
Two types that we know of J20 and FC31 with maybe 2-3 dozen actual aircraft but not enough to call it operational beyond training and demonstration.
Any f-35b purchase by Taiwan is weeeell into the future(i mean, actual IOC/FOC).
Correct however Observe. My comments are in regards to this story
Taiwan requests fighter jets from the US, but with an unusual twist
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people don't read anything so just the link
Which is a near term bid. Not long term post 2029 The F35B may have a knocked down version better to suit the Taiwanese needs. However the current push is to get new fighters on deck by 2021.
Honestly, even the very process delayed so much what they openly revealed their own program(i.e. they expect to get their own fighter in a comparable or shorter timeframe).
And good luck to them on such however I expect a less capable fifth gen to result. Much like the KF-X a fourth gen with Fifth gen like features beyond F/A18E block 3 or J10B but not as far as F35.
 

Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
Two types that we know of J20 and FC31 with maybe 2-3 dozen actual aircraft but not enough to call it operational beyond training and demonstration.
Right now.
I.e. it is still more than anyone outside the US.
And good luck to them on such however I expect a less capable fifth gen to result.
Depends on what they are going to try to build.
Speculating, Taiwan needs most of f-35 things:
-dispersion capability(on home ground). Stovl and/or extreme STOL is preferable.
-air superiority mission. Massed dogfights with top-tier opposition to be expected.
-stealth strike(never-ending first day). Because they will have to go in.
-anti-shipping. Taiwan produces ascms on its own, so it is the simplest part.
-cruise missile intercept. F-16V force with thrir SABRs covers this part just fine, actually.

F-35b - well, there are not that many countries to which f-35 versions are so suitable. But, as we know, it won't happen;

F-35b analogue - well, i doubt they can, even with assistance. Not just anyone can build VTOL(or STOL) fighter, and relaxing this requirement questions the whole endevour;

Another KFX-like 4.5 gen fighter on two F414s.
Supportable(Korea seems to succeed at this point), but what's the point? They need numbers, and KFX-type fighter has obvious limitations. Solves only half of the list of missions from my list. Taiwan just is not Korea.

Producing pure stealthy STOL mudfighter. Like "f-35b analogue", but throwing away all excessives to get a small yet formidable air fighter.
May actually work out, but it's risky(first aircraft of this kind in the world) and even more dependent on us tech assistance.
Forms an opposite to KFX-type, filling another part of the spectrum of missions.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Right now.
I.e. it is still more than anyone outside the US.
Which is what matters again in regards to the Article in question.
Sure this year into next the PLA could crank out dozens more J20 but if the mission systems are not ready they again fall to training and demonstration. By the time J20 is really a threat we can reasses the requirements. But the story we are talking about is in the near term where in its impressive for what it can be but not yet is.

As is now though F35B doesn't seem part of the package and is more risk than advantage. F16V seems the better option for today and near future.
 
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