Support: France Steps Up

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March 27, 2010:  Despite the threat of Chinese diplomatic and economic retaliation, France stepped up and fixed problems that developed in the engines of the Mirage 2000 fighters it had sold to Taiwan. France also paid $13.5 million compensation to Taiwan, for the hassle and, especially, lost training opportunities for the Taiwanese Mirage 2000 pilots. Normally, these pilots fly their Mirage 2000s 15 hours a month, to maintain their combat skills. For several months, the engine problems forced a reduction to eight hours a month.

It's possible that the Chinese did not protest because, with their growing number of modern Russian fighters, they see the Mirage 2000s more as potential targets, than a threat.

 

 

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