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| Taiwan's F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter, the only locally designed fighter jet (Image: Wiki Commons) |
Taiwan officials said Tuesday a new generation of locally built jet trainers would be completed by 2026, part of a push to strengthen the defence industry against a growing China threat.
The island has developed jets and missiles at home in the past, but relies on its main ally the US as its biggest arms supplier.
Relations are worsening with China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be brought back within its fold -- by force if necessary.
President Tsai Ing-wen has faced a mounting backlash from Beijing since she took office in May because she has refused to recognise that Taiwan is part of "one China".
Beijing has severed all official communications with Taipei and reportedly discouraged Chinese visitors from travelling to the island.
The current ageing trainer fleet will be replaced by 66 advanced jet trainers by 2026, with their first flight scheduled for 2020, according to the military-run National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
The programme has a budget of some Tw$68 billion ($2.2 billion).
Read the full story at SpaceDaily