With CSB on his way out in Taiwan the US (and France) should be more willing to sell arms.
Between the Rafale and the F-16, what would be the better choice?
With the Rafale you get an undoubtedly better air superiority fighter, able to tangle with and beat the best the PLAAF can throw at it. But it is expensive and adds a new fighter to Taiwan's inventory which complicates logistics. Also Taiwan would need to purchase Exocets with them in order to be AShm capable.
With the F-16 you have more uniformity in spare parts and logistical issues. F-16s are also cheaper and Taiwan would be able to purchase quite a few more of them for the same amount. But with that decreased price comes decreased air-to-air capability and the F-16, although upgraded, is still a 4th gen aircraft, so it is becoming obsolete.
I'm sure they would like to have both, a hi-lo mix but that isn't an option.
Between the Rafale and the F-16, what would be the better choice?
With the Rafale you get an undoubtedly better air superiority fighter, able to tangle with and beat the best the PLAAF can throw at it. But it is expensive and adds a new fighter to Taiwan's inventory which complicates logistics. Also Taiwan would need to purchase Exocets with them in order to be AShm capable.
With the F-16 you have more uniformity in spare parts and logistical issues. F-16s are also cheaper and Taiwan would be able to purchase quite a few more of them for the same amount. But with that decreased price comes decreased air-to-air capability and the F-16, although upgraded, is still a 4th gen aircraft, so it is becoming obsolete.
I'm sure they would like to have both, a hi-lo mix but that isn't an option.