Debut for new made-in-Taiwan jet prototype to help fend off mainland China threat
- Aircraft expected to go into mass production in 2023 and complement the purchase of dozens of F-16 Viper fighter jets from the United States
Taiwan has debuted the first advanced jet trainer built by the island as part of a defence programme to make more of its own weapons to counter the growing military threat from mainland China.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony for the “Brave Eagle” jet trainers, President Tsai Ing-wen said the island had no time to waste in developing its own military aircraft, an industry that has stalled on Taiwan since the 1990s.
“Through the construction of the [Brave Eagle], we have not only increased global exchanges [on production], but have also created job opportunities ... to promote talent at home,” Tsai said.
She said the NT$68.6 billion project had created 1,200 jobs at the builder, Taichung-based Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), since production started in 2017 and another 800 jobs would be created by 2021.
Tsai added that the completion of the prototype in under three years indicated advances in the island’s jet technology.