According to a report by "Defense Asia" on September 30, Christian Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation in France, publicly stated at a hearing in the French National Assembly that the Taiwan region has indeed shown strong interest in the Rafale fighter jet, wanting to replace its severely aged Mirage 2000-5 fleet with this multi-role aircraft.

However, Trappier also openly pointed out that such arms sales are not decisions that companies can make, but must be decided by the French government.

He further said that he would bet a case of champagne, believing that this deal is unlikely to happen at all.

This statement clearly poured cold water on the authorities in Taiwan, making it clear to the outside world: the grand military procurement drama orchestrated by the authorities in Taiwan had been exposed by the manufacturer before it even began.

In fact, from past experiences, after France sold Mirage 2000-5 to Taiwan, diplomatic relations with China were frozen. Although it has been decades, the Chinese countermeasures have left a deep impression on Dassault.

Therefore, although Trappier said it was up to the French government to decide, he himself denied the possibility of such a transaction. It's not that he can make the decision for France, but rather he clearly knows that France would not fall into the same trap twice.

Rafale

In reality, it is evident that the so-called purchase of Rafale by the authorities in Taiwan is not really to replace the Mirage 2000-5. The island's air force system has already fully shifted towards F-16V upgrades under the push of the United States. Suddenly releasing an intention to purchase Rafale is not based on military considerations, but is a naked attempt to please France, and has nothing to do with enhancing combat capabilities.

The logic behind it is as follows: In May this year, during the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian Air Force's Rafale was shot down by multiple J-10C fighters of Pakistan, shattering the myth instantly.

Knowing this, the authorities in Taiwan still loudly released the intention to purchase, aiming to "legitimize" the Rafale. Everyone is questioning the French fighter jets, but I am different; I will buy French fighter jets in such circumstances. You see how much courage I have.

Whether or not France sells it, the authorities in Taiwan's obsequious flattery can be seen by the French.

J-10C

Therefore, we can clearly see the ugly and repulsive side of the authorities in Taiwan.

They know that the French government will not sell Rafale fighter jets to the Taiwan region, yet they still spread rumors, create momentum, and hype it up, treating this impossible deal as an opportunity to grovel. The purpose is to mislead public opinion on the island, giving the illusion that the authorities in Taiwan still have the ability to expand international space.

This is purely without any shame. They know that buying Mirage 2000-5 in the past was a big scam, spending a lot of money to buy it, only to find that parts were lacking and the availability rate dropped below 50%, turning it into a money-eating monster. Now, the authorities in Taiwan want to use Rafale as a political chip, showing no sense of shame.

As the saying goes, when people are as low as possible, they become invincible. But if they go too far, they are only seen as clowns.

Rafale

The authorities in Taiwan's pattern of ingratiating themselves repeatedly violates common sense. Not only does it fail to enhance the so-called defense, but it repeatedly humiliates the Taiwan region in the eyes of the international community.

Dassault in France is not stupid, nor are other European countries. Everyone understands that this is a hot potato, and no one would really take the risk for the authorities in Taiwan who are so obsequious.

The only one who is foolish is the authorities in Taiwan, who still comfort themselves by thinking that money and performance can win them a sense of security.

But reality has told them that going down this road will only lead to a dead end.

The authorities in Taiwan will not gain real security, but instead, through repeated performances and flattery, they will lose the dignity of the Taiwan region, pushing the situation into a more dangerous position. At that point, it won't just be about being a clown anymore.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7555776346836795904/

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