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Taiwan mulls buying Harrier jets despite pressure from China

CougarKing

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This could prove useful in a Chinese invasion scenario, after Taiwan/ROCAF airfields have been cratered/knocked out in PLAAF air strikes:

Defense News

Despite Pressures From China, Taiwan Might Procure Harriers
By Wendell Minnick 5:15 p.m. EST January 16, 2016

TAIPEI — Taiwan will have the opportunity to procure refurbished AV-8 Harrier Jump Jets as the US Marine Corps (USMC) begins replacing the aircraft with F-35B stealth fighters, said US government sources.

The Harriers will be offered to Taiwan through the Pentagon’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program under the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The AV-8 would fulfill Taiwan’s much-needed vertical and/or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) requirement. China is expected to destroy Taiwan’s air bases within the first few hours of a war with its estimated 1,400 short-range ballistic missile arsenal and the Harrier’s V/STOL capability will allow the Taiwan air force to maintain air operations by hiding the aircraft in the mountainous interior.



(...SNIPPED)
 
keyword: refurbished.  Production stopped in  or around 2003 or 4. 

 
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