Asia-Pacific

US hints at jet sales to Taiwan

By Cheng Guangjin (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-23 07:04

The recent US government report saying Taiwan's fighter jets lack the capacity to respond to attacks from the Chinese mainland is just a prelude to more arms sales to the island, which may include F-16 jet fighters, experts said.

The US government's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released an one-off report commissioned by the US Congress, that stated many of Taiwan's roughly 400 combat aircraft would not work in action due to age and maintenance problems, and upgrades are needed as the Chinese mainland gets stronger.

"In recent years, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has increased the quantity and sophistication of its ballistic and cruise missiles and fighter aircraft opposite Taiwan, which has diminished Taiwan's ability to deny PRC efforts to attain air superiority in a conflict," the report says.

Analysts said this report is a prelude and preparation for more US arms sales to Taiwan, in which F-16 fighter jets may be included.

Last month the US announced a $6.4 billion arms deal to Taiwan including missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, information distribution systems and two Osprey Class Mine Hunting Ships. China reacted furiously, suspending exchanges with the US military and threatening sanctions against major US defense contractors.

But the package deferred action on the 66 new US-made F-16 fighter jets and a design plan for diesel submarines that Taiwan also covets.

However, Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief with Defense News, said that the US Congress may use the report to pressure the Pentagon into approving the F-16s.

Fan Jishe, a scholar in US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, agreed and said this report is an excuse for the US to sell more weapons to Taiwan.

Fan said the DIA report has the same purpose as the China Military Power Report that the US releases every year. They emphasize the unbalanced development of the military capabilities of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. "The reports are merely to create atmosphere and provide a reason for the US to proceed with the arms sales to Taiwan," Fan said.

Fu Mengzi, a senior researcher on American studies with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said such reports challenge China's national security and China should be highly alert to them.

"The reports may push the US government to take further action with the arms sales, which is worth close watch by China," Fu said.

(China Daily 02/23/2010 page11)