Who's getting the F-35 for that price? Japan's DSCA notification had 105 F-35s coming in at $23 billion. There's no way a non-partner like Taiwan would get them at USAF prices.
Old officers who remember the "glory days" of shooting unarmed protesters might feel some sort of affinity with the PRC, but there's no reason that that officers today would have loyalty towards China. Even the current Chief of the General Staff was born long after the KMT fled to Taiwan. The idea that a desire to unify with China is passed down the generations is illogical given that all polls show identification as Chinese has dropped to record low levels and the majority of Taiwanese identify exclusively as Taiwanese.
Besides, if officers really were having feelings for the past handed down then they'd more likely be taught emnity towards the PLA for humiliating their grandfathers in the civil war. After all I keep hearing from Chinese netizens that Chinese people have "long memories" when they're insulted and will "be patient" when it comes to paying others back.
Ask Obama. He wouldn't sell new F-16s apparently because he was told by advisors that it would be a "red line" for Beijing. Looks like that was an empty threat, but he wasn't exactly courageous when it came to foreign policy.
Taiwan's making a number of other changes and examining others like increasing the length of basic service. They're not just making the bi-annual training annual and then deciding that's all they need to do.
I stated clearly that we don’t know the real cost of the F-35 yet. JSF Partners and US Are buying at 80 to 100 mil each.
I won’t get into the identity politics too much (even though I admittedly brought it up) because it’s not news. What I was trying to point out is that you have a unique situation. I am not delusional in thinking there is a secret huge 5th column
Even in those identity surveys, they usually have a third to a quarter of respondents that clearly identify as Chinese. Basically I’m trying to point out that these people could be over represented in the military.
On top of this, unlike the situation like North Korea and South Korea, you can get on a direct flight from Taipei to Beijing, so there is an open exchange of people.
Do you honestly think Obama was concerned with Chinese feelings? His TPP was probably more of a concern to PRC than a handful of fighters.
The problem with their reform is that it’s ignoring the real manpower issues. Changing the type of training and amount for a certain tranche of conscripts isn’t going to do anything.
This is why I’m so critical of their overspending on something SLAM-ER. Toys are great, but there’s no one to use them.
Even PLA has gone through numerous and sometimes painful reforms. Think of the 90’s when the commercial enterprises were cut out. That must have pissed a lot of people off.
Who in Taiwan will declare ending conscription was a mistake? It’s political suicide, but also reality. If no one will face this reality, then no one will come up with a sustainable system.
