Lockheed Martin Modernizing Taiwanese F-16

Lockheed Martin is preparing the ground for the modernization of Taiwan's F-16 fighters. July 12 U.S. company signed a memorandum of cooperation with the National Aerospace Industrial Development (AIDC).


The agreement provides for the participation in the modernization of Taiwan's AIDC 145 F-16 A / B for $ 3.7 billion. Not disclosed, however, that the work would make Taiwanese company.


The agreement may be a sign of U.S. approval for Taiwan to buy 66 new F-16 C / D Block 50/52. Taiwan unsuccessfully sought from the U.S. to sell these fighters since 2007. The reason for refusal is Beijing's opposition to increasing the military capabilities of the island, considered by the PRC as a rebellious province.

Americans will probably have to change position, the more that the game of contract for the modernization of Taiwan's F-16 A / B for $ 5.8 billion joined BAE Systems. With a smaller amount of the same service. Invoking the experience of upgrading 300 F-16s belonging to the U.S. Air National Guard and Turkish F-16. White House, it depends on consent, can not also allow the elimination of 18 000 jobs in Texas alone.


The contract for the modernization of 145 fighters to be finalized within a few weeks. It is doubtful, however, that the Americans committed AIDC to work on the integration of radar scanning phase. Is also unclear who will fund the work associated with the preparation and implementation of a new modernization package, or what the scope of work will be performed by the AIDC. If the contract is signed, Taiwan will pay for the modernization of 12 years.

Until July 26, the Parties intend to sign the first contract for the supply of lots radars for the F-16 for about $ 600 million. This contract is part of the supply, which was submitted to Congress, valued at approximately $ 5.8 billion. It includes equipment for the modernization of F-16 A / B Block 20, including radar with active chamfering or SABRE Northrop Grumman and Raytheon RACR navigation and aiming system for Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper or Northrop Grumman Litening AN/AAQ-28 and spare parts for transport aircraft C-130 Hercules, as well as F-5E Tiger II and F-CK-1 Ching-kuo. The package also includes cluster bombs CBU-105 SFW and Cpl Raytheon air-air AIM-9X Sidewinder. In addition, Taiwanese F-16 will receive a new, more powerful engines F100-PW-229. In this application (sent to Congress), there was no question about the new F-16 C / D.


Total price for Taiwan approved a package of spare parts and military equipment from the last 2 years is 12 billion. Then there are outstanding because of budgetary problems, the agreement of 2008 and 2010 for the amount of $ 13 billion.