, Taiwan unveiled an upgraded homemade fighter jet March 27, which President Chen Shui-bian said demonstrated the island’s determination to defend itself against rival China.
A prototype of the sleek twin-seat fighter, an improved version of the Ching-Kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter IDF-II, scrambled for takeoff at the Chingchuankang Air Base in central Taiwan.
Hundreds of guests and engineers from the government-owned aircraft maker Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) applauded as the fighter looped and banked to show off its maneuvering capability.
“The success is not only the latest achievement of our defense industry, but it also demonstrates Taiwan’s determination and efforts to defend ourselves,” Chen said at the end of the new fighter’s 10-minute test flight.
Chen named the new jet “Hsung Ying,” or Goshawk, an indigenous bird renowned for the speed of its attacks on prey.
The AIDC unveiled the prototype of an upgraded single-seated upgrade late last year.
Costing the military 7 billion Taiwan dollars (US$212.1 million) in a project launched in 2001, the Goshawk had increased its endurance time with the installation of two additional fuel tanks, the AIDC said.
The new fighter has upgraded mission computers and an advanced fire control radar system, it said, adding that service entry was scheduled for 2010 if further development was successful.
Taiwan produced 130 IDFs during the 1980s to replace its aging Lockheed F-104s and Northrop F-5s.
China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should the island declare formal independence, prompting Taipei to develop and buy advanced weaponry.
But most arms-exporting countries have been reluctant to sell Taiwan sophisticated weapons, to avoid irking Beijing.
The U.S. is the major arms supplier to the island, providing it with defensive weapons in accordance with its Taiwan Relations Act.
