Won't those countries still need the USA's permission to sell the jets?
Yeah, there are no new confirmed orders in the pipeline. And countries like Iraq could easily be given surplus, refurbished F-16s.
The fact that the Obama administration has chosen to block the sale clearly indicates that there are valid reasons for doing so as China's cooperation is needed needed in other areas I mentioned previously such as in Central Asia or the Middle East or over Pakistan or North Korea - areas in which are very important and are of much concernto the U.S. None of us here are privy to any negotiations or any back channel deals or agreements that has or is being conducted amongst the 2 countries, so its really too early days to say that China has not offered any cooperation in return for the F-16s being blocked or that the U.S, will not get something out of it.
No I'm certainly not saying that. I believe that any country that has a legitimate need to defend itself should be able to and given the means to - but we do not live in a perfect world and countries adopt policies that are seen to be unreasonable or illogical to further their interests.
Why would American allies and ''friends'' get impression that China enjoys a veto simply because the U.S. has blocked a sale? This issue with Taiwan having problems getting approval to import ''Made In USA'' arms is nothing new and has been a around for decades. Regional countries will start feeling uneasy or having a loss in confidence the day Uncle Sam starts reducing its military levels in the region, starts cutting back on bilateral and multi-lateral exercises due to budget cuts and signals its intention not to get involved in any future Spratleys and that day hasn't come yet. America has on a number of occasions stressed to Japan, South Korea, Japan and ASEAN countries that it will continue to mantain its presence in the region and the region will continue to remain an area of supreme importance to U.S. interests. And no, I'm not saying that Taiwan is the U.S's lowest priority in the region, the fact remains that the U.S. also has other interests and concerns in the region.
The new batch of F-16s is for replacing the venerable F-5s that will retire soon.
I did not mention the Paracels because the PRC already occupies it. While Vietnam would risk going to war if any of its claims in the Spratleys were in danger of being seized by the PRC it does not have the capability nor has it expressed an intention to take back the Paracels.
The 60+ F-5 are totally obsolete and will be scrapped soon. I don't see Taiwan Air Force accepting such a large decrease in airframe numbers when Beijing is buying more and more advanced fighters.
Well if the US Congress only approved for upgrading existing F-16, but the upgrade packages still provide those F-16 eq capability with the latest F-16 batches, plus the existing Mirage 2000 still performing well then Taiwan perhaps should reopen IDF Ching-Kuo manufacturing line. Afterall. IDF itself was designed as F-5 replacement.
The usual packages for MLU (let alone a thourough ones like for Taiwanese F-16 being suggested will get) usually will involved airframes lifetime extensions and improvement in avionics.
I really don't see Taiwan buying or having access to F35, not when China doesn't even want them to get new F16s. No way that is happening.
I think some Belgian/Dutch F-16MLU were mothballed. Maybe they are on sale.
Probably best bet for Taiwan of getting some fighters, UAE selling some gas/oil to China at a nice price and France convincing China that they are just second hand me downs.:lol3 Also the fact that Taiwan already operates the 2000 is a plus, China might agree to look the other way,maybe. I wouldn't bet on it though.
UAE can sell directly to Taiwan. France does not need to be officially involved in that.