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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Taiwan finalizes $62 bln purchase of F-16 jets from Lockheed Martin |
| 2020-08-16 |
| [Al Ahram] Taiwan finalized the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from US aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Friday, a source confirmed to AFP, in a $62 billion, 10-year deal sure to anger Beijing. Underscoring the sensitivity of the transaction, the Pentagon announced the contract without specifying the buyer, but a source familiar with the matter confirmed to AFP that it was Taiwan. The self-ruled island, which China considers part of its territory, last year obtained the green light from Washington for the purchase of 66 new generation F-16s, which will allow it to modernize its defenses. Taiwan already has a fleet of F-16s purchased in 1992. The new contract, which the Pentagon said is for an initial delivery order of 90 jets, provides for more modern aircraft with the newest technology and weaponry. Beijing insists that Taiwan -- an island of 23 million people that has been self-ruled since 1949 -- is part of its territory and has vowed to respond with force if Taipei ever formally moves towards declaring independence. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 The new contract, which the Pentagon said is for an initial delivery order of 90 jets The contact seems like it is including purchases by multiple countries. |
| Posted by: Ulolump Grumble1426 2020-08-16 12:25 |
| #6 The 66 F-16s delivered w/ spares and support (usually 2 years) are $8 billion. The $62 billion is the max possible if all other equipment and support options are exercized. Don't know what else they are buying. |
| Posted by: Ulolump Grumble1426 2020-08-16 12:19 |
| #5 Perhaps they need to contest any air superiority before invasion rather than assert an air supremacy campaign. As I recall, a communist save once remarked that quantity is its own form of quality. |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2020-08-16 11:49 |
| #4 Won't matter a bit if China insinuates itself into the government. I notice they didn't get any F-35s. |
| Posted by: gorb 2020-08-16 10:56 |
| #3 That is a lot of money for less than 100 aircraft. There must be a bunch of other stuff in this deal, munitions, parts, support equipment, and more. |
| Posted by: rammer 2020-08-16 10:45 |
| #2 The "self-ruled island." Like that's a bad thing. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2020-08-16 09:37 |
| #1 Nice. Phuck China |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2020-08-16 00:43 |