Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) The 130th and last of the locally developed Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs) will be delivered to the Republic of China Air Force on Friday.
Taiwan started producing IDF jet fighters 10 years ago, in line with the desire of late President Chiang Ching-kuo "to develop independent and self-reliant science and technology for national defense."
The first prototype rolled off the assembly line in December 1988, and was named the "Ching-kuo IDF Fighter-Interceptor" by President Lee Teng-hui.
The fighter-interceptor is 46 feet long, with a 31-foot wing span. It can be equipped with several kinds of air-to-air missiles and powerful bombs.
The IDF jets, together with American-made F-16s and French-made Mirage 2000 jets constitute the backbone of the air force.
A ceremony to mark the delivery of the 130th IDF will be held at the assembly factory in Shalu, Taichung County, on Friday.
Ranking government officials invited to the ceremony include Vice Premier Liu Chao-shiuan, Defense Minister Tang Fei, Chief of the General Staff Tang Yao-ming and Air Force Commander-in-Chief Chen Chao-min. (By Victor Lai)
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