Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Yea I guess thats true, but isn't the Rafale more expensive than the F-16? so wouldn't it be like Taiwan would purchase some Rafales but more F-16s like during the 1990s when Taiwan purchased 60 Mirages and 150 F-16s. Anything on what the french are planning to upgrade on the Taiwanese frigates or the Mirage fighters? Because all i heard was that the french was going to upgrade, i didn't hear anything on what exactly was being upgraded (equipment wise).

I doubt that the French would ever offer the Rafale at anything remotely resembling a reasonable price.

Skywatcher said:

I doubt that the French would ever offer the Rafale at anything remotely resembling a reasonable price.

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If that were the case they wouldn't offer it in the first place because they know what the response would be. If Taiwan had no choice, maybe - but the F-16 will fill its requirements and that is likely to be offered in the coming months.

If France wants to sell the Rafale it has to be reasonable, even if it still makes a tidy profit.

The Rafale would have to be at a reasonable price for Taiwan to buy it, otherwise Taiwan wont buy it or it will buy it at a small amount. This will probably lead to more F-16s being bought, that is if the Americans allow it. If neither is available I think Taiwan should just upgrade their AIDC F-CK 1 A/Bs to the new C/D standards and work on the planned next generation fighter that AIDC wants to produce. This will offer the Taiwanese military a cheaper option, better weapons compatibility, and will create jobs for the struggling Taiwanese economy.

If the French want the Rafale to be exported it has to be at a reasonable price otherwise the Taiwanese government wont buy it or it will at small amounts. This could lead to higher demand in F-16 procurements. If both dont work out, I think that the Taiwanese government should just upgrade the AIDC F-CK 1 A/Bs to the new C/Ds. This is a cheaper option, and provides Taiwan with a quicker boost in their air force. And possibly they could listen to what AIDC wants right now which is to continue the development of their own 5th generation fighter. If the Taiwanese military does pick the Indigenous option, its going to advance their defence industry and they wont have to rely on the US that much for arms procurement.

The French will probably insist on hiking up the price to 'compensate for deteriorated relations with the mainland."

If they're smart, they'll make it up after the fact with cost overruns and like.

I doubt that France will sell military hardware to Taiwan again considering the risk of losing Mainland business opportunity. I understand why the US sells F-16s but what can the French get from selling military hardware other than short term money? or is this some kind of pressure that Taiwan put on the US to sell more advance weapons?

Autumn Child said:

I understand why the US sells F-16s but what can the French get from selling military hardware other than short term money?

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Long-term maintenance contracts? Training? Look at the Saudi Typhoon deal. Something like £4.4 billion up front for the planes but the project is expected to be way more than that over its life. Other deals that could be tagged on too.

or is this some kind of pressure that Taiwan put on the US to sell more advance weapons?

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By all accounts the talks are happening, so that's not likely - the French don't want to help the Taiwanese. Plus the newspapers that have reported this are not allied to the Taiwanese government.

If the French want the Rafale to be exported it has to be at a reasonable price otherwise the Taiwanese government wont buy it or it will at small amounts. This could lead to higher demand in F-16 procurements. If both dont work out, I think that the Taiwanese government should just upgrade the AIDC F-CK 1 A/Bs to the new C/Ds. This is a cheaper option, and provides Taiwan with a quicker boost in their air force. And possibly they could listen to what AIDC wants right now which is to continue the development of their own 5th generation fighter. If the Taiwanese military does pick the Indigenous option, its going to advance their defence industry and they wont have to rely on the US that much for arms procurement.

The French are wanting to make money in the long run, anyway I cant seem to post my other replies for some reason.

If the French want the Rafale to be exported it has to be at a reasonable price otherwise the Taiwanese government wont buy it or it will at small amounts. This could lead to higher demand in F-16 procurements. If both dont work out, I think that the Taiwanese government should just upgrade the AIDC F-CK 1 A/Bs to the new C/Ds. This is a cheaper option, and provides Taiwan with a quicker boost in their air force. And possibly they could listen to what AIDC wants right now which is to continue the development of their own 5th generation fighter. If the Taiwanese military does pick the Indigenous option, its going to advance their defence industry and they wont have to rely on the US that much for arms procurement.

US Military Calls for Improving Taiwan's Self-Defense Capability

In testimony before the US Congress this past week, Admiral Timothy Keating - head of the US Pacific Command - called for the United States to support improvements in Taiwan's self-defense capabilities:
This may be an early indication that, with the recent election in Taiwan, the US is finally willing to consider additional arms packages (such as the long awaited buy of additional F-16s) for Taiwan.