From: tzung@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (tzung-i.lin)
Newsgroups: sfnet.keskustelu.foreigners,soc.culture.taiwan
Subject: Re: Question:    A/F-18 and F-16
Date: 8 Sep 92 18:44:32 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

In article <1992Sep7.090958.2541@nntp.hut.fi> jhao@hila.hut.fi (Jixiang Hao) writes:
>
>
>As we have heard recently, Geoge Bush has lift a ban for selling Hi-Tech weapon
>to Taiwan.   The deal is that Taiwan is going to buy 150 F-16 Fighters from
>US. It will cost US$ 4 bil.
>
>Several months ago,  Finland purchased 60 A/F-18 Attacker/Fighter from US also.
>It costed 6 bil. FMK (Correct me if it is not accurate,  1US$ : 4 FMK)
>
>What the question is that:  Why does Finland purchase the A/F-18, which is
>supposed to be a naval model, and Taiwan is planing to purchase the F-16 ? (
>which model seems unclear, but I would assume the F-16 FA, which is for export)
>

To be frank, this is the first time I heard F-16FA, can you elaberate more?
Where did you see this FA description? what does it equip (radar, engine,...)
As far as I know, there is no export version of F-16 ... just curious.

>A/F-18 is intended for US naval, it has less requirements for maitance and
>land works than those of F-16 (A/B/C/D or FA). The latter is expensive.  For

less requirement for land works?  To land on a carrier, you would need
a more sophisticated landing gears than on land.  And A/F-18 is not
solely naval fighters, some countries operate them on land base.
(Spain, Finland)
 
>the main target,  both Finland and Taiwan have similar situation.  *Big* 
>brothers as neighbor, small size of its own land, defence is more possible than
>attack.  Politically, both counties are very eager to buy from US.
>
>Finland had invited US, French (Migrate ), Sweden(?), Russian (Mig 29/31 ?)

Mirage 2000 from French, JAS-39 From Sweden and MiG-29 from Russia.
The current Finland airforce comprises MiG-21 and Sweden JA35.
I'm surprised to learn from your mail that they chose F-18, I havn't
kept tracking on these sales for a long time.  From logistic point of view,
MiG-29 and JAS39 would be a good choice, but JAS-39 has been delayed since the
last crash of the prototype, so MiG-29 seens like a good choice.
As a matter of fact, Russia sent four MiG-29 to visit Finland last year,
and that was the first time the western was able to get close to look at the 
MiG-29.  Mirage 2000 is way too expensive for the Finland.

Besides, it all depends on what is the roles Finish fighters play.
F/A-18 is more attack oriented than air-superiority.  Finland might
want to use F/A-18's ability to deliver Harpoon ASM to defend their coastline.
And use it as a air-superiority as second role.  I would imagine they
buy F/A-18/Harpoon ASM for coastline defense and MiG-29 for 
air-superiority.  I'll have to double check on the sales.  
I thought Finland has already operated MiG-29??

>Fighter manufacture company to give shows about their airplane in Finland.
>And finally,  Finland chose the A/F-18.  The reason, besides political ones, 
>it is said that the price played an important role.  I don't know the reason
>for Taiwan.   Any comments.
>

I'll try to post an article about the needs and the aircrfat types that
has been offered to us.

Tzung-I Lin
Newsgroups: sfnet.keskustelu.foreigners