Taiwan Recalls F-16s for Upgrades 我6架F-16戰機自美返台 傳美軍加油機隨行
M. Chuang
發布時間：
更新時間：
Six of Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets that were originally in Arizona have arrived in Hualien after refueling aerially en route. The jets will undergo upgrades. One scholar says international cooperation is the main focus of a new draft white paper released by Japan.
The F-16 in the photo bears the number 6621. The ROC Air Force has recalled F-16s to Taiwan from Arizona for upgrades. According to a military expert, the F-16s transited in Honolulu on their way to the Air Force base in Hualien.
The F-16 in the photo bears the number 6621. The ROC Air Force has recalled F-16s to Taiwan from Arizona for upgrades. According to a military expert, the F-16s transited in Honolulu on their way to the Air Force base in Hualien.
The media has reported that our F-16 fighter jets trained in the US go somewhere after refueling. I think that we air force are unaware of this information.
Six F-16s flew over 10,000 kilometers to Taiwan with eight aerial refuelings. Analysts say Taiwan's flight personnel have the technical abilities needed for aerial refueling. The military says 141 F-16A/Bs will be upgraded to F-16Vs in 2023. With regards to the meeting between US and Japanese leaders in April and statements made about stability in the Taiwan Strait, experts say Taiwan's status in the island chain will be upgraded.
So, they are feeling more and more insecure and worried about the Taiwan Strait. I think this is a trend. In other words, Japan will be paying more and more attention to the Taiwan Strait. They kind of want to see which way the wind is blowing. On the other hand, they don't want to make any sudden moves that would surprise China.
Under the terms in the draft agreement, the US will sell Taiwan weapons when the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is in China's favor. Ding Shuh-fan says if China takes Taiwan by force, Japan's energy transport will be affected. According to Ding, the draft released by Japan first stresses international cooperation and second serves as a warning to China to stop expanding its military presence in the Taiwan Strait.
照片上的F-16，清楚可見已漆上我國軍序號6621，空軍執行F-16戰機性能提升的「鳳展」計畫，原本部屬在美國亞利桑那州路克基地，擔任訓練任務的F-16戰機，也調返國內進行升級，國外軍事迷揭露，我軍多架F-16戰機過境檀香山井上建國際機場，傳出已飛回花蓮空軍基地，由於事涉台美機敏軍事合作，空軍態度低調。
空軍發言人 陳國華表示：「媒體所報導的，我們在美國受訓的戰機，如何？如何？經過加油，到了這個什麼地方去？我想這些訊息，我們基本上，空軍我們是一無所悉。」
這次6架F-16執行返台任務，傳出有美國加油機隨行，歷經8次空中加油，航程超過1萬公里，外界分析，我方飛行員已具備空中加油的技能，空軍則說，141架F-16A/B戰機，會按期程在民國112年，全數升級成F-16V。此外，對於兩岸局勢升溫，上月舉行的美日領袖峰會，重申台海穩定的重要性，也反映在日本最新的防衛白皮書草案，內容首度提到台灣局勢穩定，攸關日本的安全保障，學者直言，這代表台灣在第一島鏈的戰略地位，會再度提高。
政治大學名譽教授 丁樹範表示：「所以在台海，他們會覺得越來越不安，越來越有很多的擔心，所以我覺得這是一個趨勢。就是說，日本對台海的關注程度，會越來越高，感覺上有點在測風向。那一方面就是說，避免突然釋出，讓中國大陸覺得很意外。」
草案指出，兩岸軍事平衡傾向對中國有利，美國對台軍售，支援台灣的立場鮮明，丁樹範認為，中國威脅與日俱增，若台灣遭奪取，勢必影響日本海外能源運輸，日本先釋出草案內容，學者研判，除了力求國際合作，也示意中國不要擴大在台海的軍事衝突。
