UPGRADED IDF FIGHTERS COMPLETE TEST FLIGHT
ROC Central News Agency
2006-10-09 20:16:59
Taipei, Oct. 9 (CNA) An upgraded version of Taiwan's domestically developed Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) completed test flights Monday at the country's Chingchuankang Air Force Base in central Taichung County.
The fighter's test flight caught the attention of many fans, who used cameras and video cameras to catch the event on film.
The new version of IDF fighters form part of the Air Force's "Hsiangsheng Plan" -- worth NT$7 billion (US$212 million) -- which has been operated by military-run Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC).
The new IDF fighter will be equipped with two extra fuel tanks that will double the time fighters can stay in the air.
With improved electronic devices and radar systems, the new fighter also has ground attack capabilities, which will support ground operations after the Ministry of National Defense retires all its aging F-5Es.
The ROC's Air Force began the development of its Indigenous Defense Fighters in 1980s, with the IDFs beginning to serve the military in 1992.
For quite some time, the initial version of IDFs, the Mirage 2000s from France and the F-16 fighters from the United States formed the backbone of the ROC's air force.
(By Elisa Kao)
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