Will the US deny sale of 66 F-16s to Taiwan?
TAIPEI According to the publication Defense News, Washington has denied Taiwan’s request for 66 new advanced F-16 jet fighters. However, according to this Defense News report, the Obama Administration is offering an upgrade package for older F-16A/Bs that includes an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Arms sales to Taiwan have been a major sticking point between Washington and Taiwan. China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province because it acts independently from Beijing. Taiwan became the center for the Nationalist government after it lost control of the mainland to the Communists in 1949.
Technically the two are still in a state of hostilities, even though there are now economic exchanges between the China and Taiwan. The US changed recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979.
In spite of the Defense News Report, Washington and Taipei insist there no decision has been made. Vice President Joe Biden will be visiting China this week, so no official announcement from Washington would seem likely.
Recent news of sea trials of China’s aircraft carrier, and Taiwan’s “aircraft carrier killer” missile have made the headlines in the last week. Taiwan says the sale of 66 F-16s is necessary to counter China’s expanding military strength and maintain a balance of power and stability in the region.
Christoper Kavanagh, the spokesman for the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US Embassy, stated that ”no decision has been made” on the potential arms sale.
Even if the sale of new F-16′s does not go through, but the radar upgrades are permitted, Taiwan would still have some of the most advanced F-16′s in the world. However, it also move Taiwan to spend more resources on their Indigenous Defense Fighters.
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