Taiwan displaying how its air force jets could land, refuel and take off on a closed-off motorway in a scenario simulating a Chinese attack that wiped out the island's air force bases. (Photo : Getty Images)
Taiwan is planning to build 66 jet trainer aircraft to bolster defenses against China. The fleet's scheduled maiden flight will be by 2020.
The National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, a quasi-defense military research agency, said that the fleet of 66 aircraft will be delivered by year 2026. The jets will be developed jointly by the defense ministry, the institute, and the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation.
Tsai Ing-wen, the current president of Taiwan, said at the signing ceremony: "Investing over T$68 billion ($2.19 billion) in new model advanced jet trainers, not only lays the foundation for the development of our future air combat capability, but also lets our aerospace industry continue to develop."
The jet manufacturing capabilities of Taiwan have already stagnated for nearly 30 years, as its aerospace industry is falling behind compared to other countries. Taiwan has developed and produced the Indigenous Defense Fighters, their combat aircraft, in 1990. The country ended the program for developing and producing it in 2000.
The defense ministry said that it plans to spend T$68 billion from its 2017 budget to develop its own jet trainers.
Taiwan's jet trainers will only be used in preparing pilots for combat aircraft. The air force mainly uses IDFs, U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and the French-built Mirage.
Taiwan has struggled to maintain modern military warfare due to it being isolated diplomatically and being reliant to the United States. This will be an issue as it faces China's growing force across the 112-mile Taiwan Strait to its west.
China has rattled Taipei when it sailed its sole aircraft carrier around its island in late Dec. 2016 and early January this year.
Beijing distrusts Tsai's independent-ruling government. Taiwan's move on being independent is the reason why they are said to be forcibly taking control of Taiwan.
The success of Tsai's push in rebuilding the defense industry in Taiwan will depend on the technology transfer from its allies.
