Advertisement
New F-16 fighter jet maintenance centre gives Taiwan an edge in defence and striking ability: President Tsai
- Collaboration between Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation and Lockheed Martin is expected to draw ire from Beijing
- As first Indo-Pacific F-16 service centre, Taiwan’s new facility is expected to one day service fleets from other Asian nations
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The first F-16 fighter jet maintenance and service centre in the Indo-Pacific has opened in Taiwan in collaboration with a major US defence contractor, a move certain to infuriate mainland China.
The facility was made possible by an agreement between Taiwan’s government-funded Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and Lockheed Martin, the maker of the F-16, in December last year.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said the centre could help strengthen the striking ability of the island’s air force.
Advertisement
“It also marks an important milestone in the development of Taiwan’s defence industry and promotion of its aerospace industry internationally,” she said at the centre in Shalu in central Taiwan.
Tsai said a solid defence industry could help boost Taiwan’s defence capability and safeguard the sovereignty of the self-ruled island. She stressed that promotion of the island’s defence industry signified its determination to defend itself.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x