The China Connection Revisited

Related links:
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/02/hi-superferry-chinas-jhsv-military-fast.html
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/05/china-1989-tank-man.html

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810100352
"U.S.-Taiwan arms deal upsets China" Oct 10, 2008

"TOKYO (AP) — China has cut some military exchanges following Washington's approval of a multibillion-dollar arms package for Taiwan, the commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific said yesterday.

Adm. Timothy Keating said China canceled or postponed several military-to-military exchanges following the Bush administration's approval of a $6.5 billion package of weapons for the island. They are intended to help the island defend itself should China ever make good on its vow to invade if Taiwan should formalize its de facto independence..."

Complete article on all of the items in the $6.5 billion package sold to Taiwan: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49302G20081004?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

"U.S. approves $6.5 billion in Taiwan arms sales"
By Andrea Shalal-Esa Oct 4, 2008

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Friday announced plans to sell around $6.5 billion in arms to Taiwan, including 30 Boeing Co Apache attack helicopters and 330 Patriot missiles, in a move that could anger China.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency told lawmakers that the sale -- which also includes 32 Harpoon submarine-launched missiles -- would support Taiwan's continuing efforts to modernize its military...

The sales include 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters built by Boeing, along with night vision sensors, radar, air-to-air missiles and Hellfire missiles. That deal alone is worth $2.5 billion, if all options are exercised...

The Pentagon also approved the sale of Patriot advanced capability PAC-3 missiles, radar sets, ground stations and other equipment valued at up to $3.1 billion. Raytheon would be the main contractor, along with Lockheed.

The deals also include up to $250 million in Northrop Grumman upgrades to four E-2T aircraft; up to $200 million in Harpoon Block II missiles built by Boeing and $334 million in spare parts for various aircraft.

Omitted from the arms deal package were two items Taiwan had originally sought, diesel-powered submarines and 60 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters built by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp..."

No fast patrol boats were in the order. Israel has sold fast patrol boats to Taiwan in the past, but apparently Australian and American companies have not, yet. Would say that given the economic environment that fast patrol boats rather than LCS are much more realistic for this region, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.

Aloha, Brad