Taiwan is seeking US support for the development of its next-generation fighter aircraft.
Taipei announced the fighter project in 2017, hoping to conduct the first flight in 2025.
“When it comes to the development of the next generation fighter, we hope the United States supports Taiwan to develop it itself, including the engine, avionics, control systems, environmental controls, and so on, which are all an opportunity for Taiwan-US cooperation,” Reuters quoted head of Aerospace Industrial Development Corp Hu Kai-hung as saying.
Western Components
Planned for rollout in 2024, the aircraft prototype will feature General Electric’s F414-GE-400 engine, which also powers Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the South Korean KAI KF-X fighter.
The aircraft is expected to feature additional Western components, including L3 Harris avionics and Martin-Baker ejection seats, according to Taiwanese media outlet Up Media.
The country currently uses the American F-16, French Mirage, and the three-decade-old F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter.
Taipei is upgrading 141 older F-16s, inducted in the 1990s, into the V version and has ordered 66 new F-16Vs.