American Viper jets a boost to Taiwan’s defences ‘but no game changer’ with China
- The improved F-16 has a longer range and new features but it’s still not a challenge to Beijing’s land, sea and air forces, analysts say
A new fleet of new fighter jets on Taiwan would raise the cost to Beijing of attacking the island but would not change the balance of power across the Taiwan Strait.
Military observers made the assessment on Monday after US President Donald Trump approved the sale of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V “Viper” fighter jets to Taiwan in a US$8 billion deal that still must be ratified by the US Senate.
Macau-based military expert Antony Wong Dong said that at more than US$120 million each, the Vipers were expensive but they would be able to better counter the threat of an air strike from mainland China’s key fighter jets.
“The F-16V is costly, but at least its strike capacity is on par with third-generation mainland fighters like the J-10C and even the J-16. It can also detect the most advanced J-20 stealth aircraft at long distance,” Wong said.
“The F-16V cannot defeat the J-20, because of their generation gap … but it will definitely increase Beijing’s military cost of attacking Taiwan.”
If the Viper deal does go ahead, it will be the first time since 1992 that the US has sold F-16s to Taiwan. It would also be a major boost to the self-ruled island’s defences.