December 16, 2009 published in the latest issue of British “Jane’s Defense Weekly” published a lengthy Annual Defence Report, this ten-page report by Jane’s of several journalists around the world to work together to complete, according to the geographical distribution of recalling the global events of 2009.
The report refers to Taiwan still hopes to obtain 66 F-16C / D, is also eager to get F-22, F-35 fighters, as well as diesel-electric submarines, the report that the United States to sell Taiwan’s UH-60M “Black Hawk” helicopters, AH-64 ” Apache “attack helicopters and PAC-3″ Patriot “anti-aircraft missiles the prospect of more” optimistic “; the same time, the continent is the procurement system of Ukraine 4 Zubr-class heavy-duty air-cushion landing ship, this type of hovercraft have the ability for potential Taiwan Strait the war, a move designed to “remind” Taipei – the mainland’s military development, the main focus of which still contain the Taiwan Strait area.
In the report “China and China Taiwan” part of the first mentioned, the so-called “China threat” argument may have become in international politics being discussed, one of the most enduring, but Beijing in 2009 to release the information right to quell the controversy plays a minor role.
The report said China’s National Defense White Paper biennial in the January 2009 publication, issued the usual friendly voice: PLA or is being modernized, but this (the outside) no cause for concern, because China’s military planning “the essence of on a purely defensive in nature. ”
The report goes on to say, more meaningful is that the Chinese in March to promote restoration of military ties with the United States (Sino-US military exchanges in late 2008 because the United States arms sales to Taiwan was interrupted), this result is that, in June , a high-level delegation of the United States and China held an important “confidence-building” talks. The talks provided such a hope, that the U.S. Navy near the Chinese waters or in Chinese waters within the existing surveillance activities triggered by the friction will not be allowed to deteriorate to upgrade than the current has been confirmed, “irritability, but in fact harmless” the sea of confrontation to a more dangerous situation.
Jane’s report also said that Beijing’s negotiations on the Korean nuclear issue played the dominant role of positive and encouraged by Governments, China began with the Asian countries held joint military exercises as well, such as with Singapore in June a joint exercise held in Singapore, sent to China to participate in the exercise of armed force.
The People’s Republic of China in October in the 60th anniversary of the National Day military parade on a large scale, showing more than 50 types of new defense equipment to India and China Taiwan region, this is not a complete elimination of concerns for surrounding gesture. On display in the parade in new equipment, including a DH-10 land attack cruise missiles and KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control (AEW & C) aircraft, while the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of new H-6K bombers, cruise missiles have been the first time in August appearance, ZTD-05-type amphibious assault vehicles, ZBD-09 type 8 × 8 and ZBD-03 infantry combat vehicles, airborne vehicles and other equipment type in the parade for the first time appearance, which is essentially the rise of China’s military power The frankly expose.
The report mentions, with the National Day military parade at the same time, the PLA is also considering streamlining of personnel on the large, which is a long-term plan to modernize and professionalize the military part of the next few years, the PLA 2.185 million active duty troops, will cut more than up to 700,000 troops.
The Chinese government has made early in 2009 decided to send naval contingent to help patrol the Somali waters, which is another significant gesture, a friendly against China “camp,” it may appear that the Chinese navy in the Pacific waters of the The first initiative outside the mission, which is increasingly becoming a responsible interests of the participants and made a welcome step, but in some anxious observers of it, this is to build blue-water fleet, potentially instability (factors) step.
Jane’s report also mentions China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, the new facilities that are to begin construction of the Chinese Navy’s aircraft carrier and the preparatory work was done apparently, even though this project has not yet been officially confirmed; also reported that China’s national Navy continues to negotiate with Russia about purchasing a batch of Su -33 fighter aircraft equipped with. According to the news from Moscow, China is still considering a (purchase) an advanced Russian-made Su -35 fighter aircraft, while the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s senior commanders, said China’s own fifth generation fighter will join the military service in 8-10 years.
The report then referred to China’s military spending. Jane’s said that, regardless of what was intended by Beijing, China’s defense spending continue to be the same significant rate, the defense budget in 2009 increased by 14.9%, reaching 70.4 billion U.S. dollars, although U.S. analysts believe that the real value than this a figure higher.
The stability of the Taiwan Strait for many years and is very similar to China Taiwan region by the KMT in power, an increase of cross-strait relations and mutual trust. Jane’s also mentioned that China is purchasing four Ukrainian system Zubr-class heavy-duty air-cushion landing ship, hovercraft capable of this type for a possible war across the Taiwan Strait, Taipei, mainland China’s military development is a reminder of the major concerns which still contain the Taiwan Strait.
The Bush administration late in 2008, the last action is to freeze arms sales to Taiwan, thus, worth 6.4 billion extension of the arms sales, in 2009, the United States, one of the new government’s first move is to reiterate the United States “and the Taiwan Relations Act “in the” obligations. ” With the enhancement of Sino-US relations, the U.S. government in the attitude of the Chinese point of view increasingly sensitive, the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton find it necessary to reaffirm the United States in February will continue to support “Taiwan’s defense.” Soon after, the U.S. Navy confirmed that 2013 will be transferred to Taiwan 12 refurbished Lockheed – Martin companies produce go P-3C Orion anti-submarine patrol aircraft.
Jane’s report also mentioned that the Taiwan authorities in March announced the Quadrennial Defense Review, QDR, said it still hoped to obtain 66 F-16C / D fighter aircraft, but also eager to get F-22 fighter aircraft (currently the United States banned the export of this type of aircraft) , F-35 “Lightning II” or European “Typhoon” fighters, and would like to obtain diesel-powered submarines.
New type of aircraft and submarines, the hope to obtain a smaller, but sold to Taiwan companies produce go Sikorsky UH-60M “Black Hawk” multi-functional helicopter, Boeing’s AH-64 “Apache” attack helicopters and PAC-3 “Patriotic by “air defense missile systems are more optimistic about the prospects. Taiwan is also expressed in May to obtain Lockheed – Martin Corporation produced C-27J transport aircraft will. Under the “Quadrennial Defense Review,” Taiwan will also be downsizing the armed forces in 2015 to maintain the size of 210.5 thousand.
