Taiwan has made a decision to extend the operational life of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, in response to increasing military pressures from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). However, this decision has stirred a debate: is the extension a wise investment or a drain on resources, given the rapidly advancing capabilities of the PLA Air Force?
Earlier this month, the Taiwanese air force announced a US$4.8 million contract with Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer, to explore the feasibility of prolonging the Mirage jets’ service life. According to the contract, this preliminary assessment will center on nine twin-seaters, aiming for completion by July 2026.
Lieutenant General Tsao Chin-ping, the island’s air force chief of staff, emphasized on August 1, “After the proposed extension, the twin-seaters should be viable for operations for an additional 20 years.” Tsao’s vision is to first prolong the twin-seaters’ service so they can be utilized for both regular missions and new pilot training.
A brief history: Taiwan procured 60 Mirage 2000-5s, of which 12 were twin-seaters, from Dassault in 1992. The delivery began in 1997 amidst significant opposition from Beijing. Since then, six jets have been lost in crashes, leaving 54 in service. These jets are stationed at Hsinchu Air Base in the north, which oversees the protection of key areas like Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan.
Now in the twilight of their operational lifecycle, these Mirage jets come with escalating maintenance and repair costs, which are considerably higher than other primary aircraft in the Taiwanese fleet. This has fueled arguments for their retirement, considering they are not only expensive but also incompatible with the US weapons system employed in Taiwan.
A confidential air force source remarked on the jet’s past reputation, highlighting its state-of-the-art features that permitted it to ascend quickly from shorter runways, showcasing its “exceptional enemy engagement capabilities.” However, as Taiwan enhanced its Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF) jets and transitioned from F-16 A/B planes to the more advanced F-16 Vipers, the Mirage jets lost their competitive advantage.
Furthermore, the Mirage’s operating costs have become a significant concern. The aircraft costs an estimated US$25,000 per operational hour, excluding maintenance, which is a challenge due to a lack of spare parts since Dassault ceased the Mirage production line.
Chang Yen-ting, a retired lieutenant general, voiced his skepticism about extending the Mirages’ service. He stressed that in comparison to the PLA Air Force’s advanced warplanes like the J-20, the Mirage would be overshadowed. “Why invest in extending its life rather than opting for an outright upgrade?” Chang questioned.
However, not everyone agrees with this perspective. Lin Ying-yu, a professor at Tamkang University, pointed out that retiring the French-made planes might leave Taiwan’s defense capabilities stretched thin. Lin stated, “Given the PLA’s frequent operations near Taiwan, removing all Mirages from service might not be prudent. Taiwan requires aircraft to monitor and deter any incoming threats.” He also highlighted Taiwan’s order of 66 F-16V jets from the US, which are expected to replace the retiring Mirages. However, even these replacements have delivery challenges; the initial delivery has been pushed to the third quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, Taiwan remains hopeful of receiving all 66 by the end of 2026.
This situation underscores Taiwan’s precarious position. Facing continuous military intimidation from Beijing, which views Taiwan as an extension of its territory, Taiwan is in a delicate balance. While many countries, including the US, do not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, they staunchly oppose any forceful alteration to the current state of affairs.
In conclusion, as Taiwan grapples with the decision to extend the life of its Mirage jets, it remains caught in a debate between strategic military necessity and cost-effective defense management. The balance between maintaining aging assets and investing in new capabilities will continue to be a focal point for Taiwan’s defense strategy in the years to come.
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