Support: France Steps Up

Archives

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.

 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close