“So, I personally favor the sale of F-16s to Taiwan. I will be glad to listen to the administration’s arguments if they are not in agreement with that, but I think that it would be very helpful for them to maintain their ability to defend themselves with the acquisition of that aircraft,” McCain said.
Senior administration members have said that a decision on selling F-16s to Taiwan will not be announced until next year.
As part of his original amendment, Cornyn said that China had based 490 combat aircraft — 330 fighters and 160 bombers — within unrefueled operational range of Taiwan and had the airfield capacity to expand that number by hundreds. In contrast, Taiwan had 390 combat aircraft, all of them fighters, he said.
The original amendment ordered the Pentagon to provide the US Congress with the number and type of Taiwan’s fighters; the age and capability and effectiveness of the aircraft; an analysis of the specific weapons systems and platforms that Taipei would need for its self-defense and to maintain control of its own airspace; and options for the US to assist Taiwan in achieving these capabilities.
It also asked the Pentagon to provide a five-year plan for fulfilling the obligations of the US under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide for Taiwan’s self-defense and aid Taipei in maintaining control of its own air space.
Asked to comment on the news, Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief for Defense News magazine, was less optimistic.
“Based on the current atmosphere in Washington, there is a mood to make friends with China. Selling F-16s to Taiwan would disrupt relations. Improved relations between Beijing and Taipei also make future US arms sales doubtful,” he said.
“There is a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude now in Washington. If China does something stupid, threatens to attack Taiwan, then you can expect F-16s to go forward. But as relations across the [Taiwan] Strait improve, Taiwan has less justification for F-16s and other arms,” he said.
“With Obama going to China in November and the economic and diplomatic influence China now has in the world, I would say F-16s are a no go for now,” he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY RICHARD HAZELDINE
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