Whilst there’s spares available, the F-CK-1/ F-16 and Mirage 2000 would all be useful to replace J-7 and J-8s as well as Aggressor Squadrons.

Can one imagine an F-16 or M2000 in PLAAF/PLAN colours (though didn’t the Chinese show interest in 200+ Mirage 2000s in the past?).

I think it’s a great idea.

But it still requires commitment of funds and resources and for some countries like Croatia, going alone means they can chose to not commit those funds and resources.

In a rational world, used Eurofighters and JAS-39s should sell like hotcakes as they’re much newer airframes than the 1980s/early 1990s F-16s that have been selling.

Politics have a huge role of course.

I’d rather buy a new F-16 than a used JAS-39 or Eurofighter. A new F-16 Block 50/52+ or F-16E/F is far more capable than limited spec Tranche 1 Eurofighter or JAS-39A/B.

However when one looks at used-F16 sales, they’re not that great either.

Chile and Jordan snapped up the F-16AM/BMs before there were any quantities of used JAS-39 and Eurofighter available.

Indonesia’s ordered some ancient Block 25s but they already operate F-16A/B.

Pakistan received jets as part of aircraft embargoed for decades.

That leaves Romania in recent times who have brought 12 ex-Portuguese F-16AM/BMs.

So many countries are just slogging out their old jets to the point where they’re unflyable.

And it’s not just a GFC thing – GFC cannot be blamed for Argentina flying ancient Mirage III/Vs, Eastern European/Middle Eastern countries flying MiG-21s etc. This is a long term trend that started with Cold War collapse which dried up need for fighters as well as subsidised acquisition of fighters.

Where’s Turkey gone?

They’re still there with 240 F-16C/Ds (including new attrition replacements) and 50 F-4 Terminators, stand off missiles, as well as AWACS, tankers, large transport fleet, not to mention J600 SRBMs, 14 submarines, 16 frigates and one of the largest armies in Europe.

And it seems American teen series to be produced by the end of this decade. Then I think there will be fighter gap in global market if Americans dont fund alternative to F35. I think it is good oppurtunity for KF-X and TF-X projects.

If you look at procurement plans, most countries capable of operating such aircraft are scheduled to have ordered/selected their new fighters by 2020. That covers them for next 30-40 years.

KF-X/TF-X probably won’t be runners in these competitions.

F-CK-1 is a cute little jet.

Well I don’t think the ROC were not expecting the PRC to put so much pressure on other countries to stop selling defence articles to them. Even the US is highly reluctant now to sell to Taiwan because of Chinese pressure. Countries that were happy to sell Taiwan equipment wouldn’t even dare now!

China was nowhere near as powerful in the 1990s as it is now. Economics rule the roost.

But then the US stopped selling advanced equipment to ROCAF from 1970s when China started opening up as USA viewed CHina as a counter to USSR.

If PRC hadn’t opened up in 1970s I expect F-4s, F-15s and F-16s or F-20s would’ve made it to the Taiwanese inventory in the 1970s and 1980s.

Afte all USAF supplied advanced Century series supersonic jets and even U-2s to Taiwan in 1950s and 1960s (look up Black Cat squadron for those interested).

One in the south would be good too, I’m sure.