tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post3302273201081621023..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Taiwan to buy 60 US helicoptersMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-30320608155548251742009-03-13T05:54:00.000+08:002009-03-13T05:54:00.000+08:00This is actually a quite complex issue.Politically...This is actually a quite complex issue.<BR/><BR/>Politically speaking, selling of F-16s during this time can send a wrong message. It will indicate that the US actually have no concern what so ever over Ma's government recent action of leaning toward China. On the other hand, militarily speaking these aircrafts will give Taiwan great boost in terms of deterance. F-16 C/D are much more versatile than the current Taiwan F-16 (A/B modified). It has greater ability in ground attacks, and has been "tested" in real combat. Also we are talking about 15 years time frame, and have to look at the military capability of PRC in the long term. <BR/><BR/>Also, the helicopters are actually quite important for Taiwan I think and cannot be under estimated. Some of the Taiwan's personel carrier helicopters are too old (UH-1 I think?) and need replacement. These type of helicopter usually carries special forces that can be very critical during war I think. And just a few years ago there was 1 UH-1 crash in Taiwan that kills everyone on board during an routine excercise. From what I read, they are one of the best trained air calvary unit in Taiwan. Not to mention the lives lost, but the amount of investment in those professional soldiers vanished.<BR/><BR/>Black Hawk would be a perfect replacement because it's versatile, robust, has good combat survivability and also has seen many real combats. It's probably better if it's those that carries our country's troops instead of the aging UH-1 (which is also not a bad helicopter but it's probably just too old for this era).Dixteelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689510846926854542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58577300862275890562009-03-10T22:43:00.000+08:002009-03-10T22:43:00.000+08:00Wang say the US won't sell them at least this year...Wang say the US won't sell them at least this year.<BR/><BR/>Game over, might as well look elsewhere or try to make something new. No point in hoping the US will sell something it won't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-22426628980974418542009-03-09T23:45:00.000+08:002009-03-09T23:45:00.000+08:00Helicopters will be useful for Taiwan, if these he...Helicopters will be useful for Taiwan, if these helicopters without arms would still be good...unlike F16 just a toy for display.Antonio Liaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09595889813252836659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-80083361106617480892009-03-09T22:29:00.000+08:002009-03-09T22:29:00.000+08:00While the helicopters are not as good as the F-16s...While the helicopters are not as good as the F-16s, I think this is sends a positive message at the moment. It sends China a message that arms deals to Taiwan will not be beholden to their temper tantrums. <BR/><BR/>Now if only there were an administration in power that had the chutzpah to send the same kind of message...Tommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13552370490869601403noreply@blogger.com