Taiwan News, Taiwan's Air Force is concerned over China's intention to buy French-made Mirage 2000-9CS fighters once the European weapon sales embargo on China is lifted, seeing the aircraft as a major threat to the island's air defense systems.
Lieutenant General Peng Sheng-chu, the Air Force's chief of staff, confessed at a Legislative Yuan hearing on Monday that his service felt considerable pressure with the People's Liberation Army planning to purchase 210 Mirage 2000-9CS in the future.
The Taiwanese Air Force currently operates 60 Mirage 2000-5E purchased a decade ago, and hopes to acquire the U.S.-made Joint Strike Fighter F-35 in the future. The Mirage 2000-E is the most expensive fighter that Taiwan has ever bought, and two have crashed during routine operations.
The issue surfaced after a Hong Kong newspaper reported on Sunday that the PLA intended to make the purchase, and said the latest version of the Mirage 2000 was far superior to that purchased by Taiwan, an assessment that Peng agreed with.
“The technical specs of this fighter are all newer than those of our fighters. Its land-attack capabilities and range of operation are also superior. This is why the Air Force feels lots of pressure,” Peng said.
He added that the Air Force hoped to acquire a third-generation fighter, but it was still gathering information on various models.
“The Air Force is considering many factors for its third-generation fighters. It is primarily thinking about the U.S.-made F-35, F-18 fighter or even upgrading the current F-16. However, it should also think about whether it will be able to buy the fighter it wants,” Peng said.
Chinese-language media claim France and China started discussions on the Mirage purchase at end of 2004, and the Chinese authorities have proposed a total arms budget of 12 billion euros for the package that would also include 1,200 Mica missiles and an additional 180 engines for emergency use.
Reports also claimed that around 40 Chinese pilots will go to France to train on the fighter this coming June. Military sources say some have already been sent for training, with 12 having earned their certification to fly the fighters.
Taiwanese military analysts suggested, however, that it would be unreasonable for China's air force to purchase the Mirage fighter.
Military analyst Erich Shih told reporters that the budget to purchase the 210 Mirage 2000-9CS would total half of the PLA's annual military budget, and that the reports might actually be a PLA bluff.
“If it were information about the PLA purchasing submarines or such, it would then be reasonable,” Shih said.
“The Mirage 2000 is a very expensive fighter. Those that Taiwan bought a decade ago cost US$50 million each. The new ones should cost around US$60 million each. But for the same budget, the PLA would be able to buy around 500 Russian-made Sukhoi 27 or Sukhoi 30,” Shih added.
