Should the U.S. Sell More F-16s to Taiwan?

At a time when some in Washington’s foreign policy firmament are suggesting the U.S. reconsider its commitment to defend Taiwan, nearly half of the U.S. Senate joined in sending a letter Thursday to President Barack Obama urging the government expedite the sale of new F-16 C/Ds and upgrades to Taiwan’s existing 145 F-16 A/Bs. “Without new fighter aircraft and upgrades to its existing fleet of F-16s, Taiwan will be dangerously exposed to Chinese military threats, aggression and provocation, which pose significant national security implications for the United States,” said the letter, which was signed by 45 senators representing both sides of the aisle.

In January 2010 Mr. Obama authorized the sale of $6.4 billion in arms, including missile systems and utility helicopters, but critics say those arms were part of a package agreed upon during the previous Bush administration and point out that Mr. Obama has yet to decide on new Taiwanese requests, which include new F-16s as well as upgrades. In addition to arguing that the sale of the fighters would be consistent with the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the U.S. to sell Taiwan weapons necessary for its defense, the letter also pointed to the economic benefits that new sales would bring. It warned that delays in sales could result in the closure of the F-16 production line.

Analysts have argued that sales to Taiwan could bring a strong economic windfall to the U.S. defense contractors, and could help Lockheed Martin retain 11,000 jobs associated with F-16 production. Lockheed faced an additional setback to the production of the F-16 in April when India eliminated it from the running for a new $10 billion fighter order. Weapons sales to Taiwan have long been a contentious issue. China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has vociferously protested the sales and cut military ties with the U.S. following the sale in 2010. The Pentagon since has attempted to thaw chilly relations, inviting People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Chen Bingde to the U.S. last week for meetings with Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Chen’s attempt to downplay the threat China poses to Taiwan during his U.S. visit drew angry responses from many on the island.

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