Though Taiwan is seeking the F-35B fighter jet, the F-15C Eagle could be a viable Plan B
Taiwan News
Date: 2018/03/20
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Though Taiwan’s government is eagerly seeking the advanced F-
USAF F-15C fires AIM-7 Sparrow. (By Wikimedia Commons)
35B fighter jet to greatly modernize its defenses against China’s massive military buildup across the strait, the F-15C Eagle could be a viable alternative that would be less costly and politically risky.
Sources close to the matter told Up Media that during a discussion between the U.S. and Taiwan on ways of bolstering Taiwan’s air defense interception capabilities, the U.S. proposed the leasing of F-15C fighter jets, based on the precedent of the T-38 Talon trainer program. Because it would be a “lease” it would not count as an arms sale to Taiwan, with the length of the lease open to adjustments in terms of time and based on budget constraints. The proposal has been submitted to Ministry of Defense for evaluation, according to Up Media. [FULL STORY]