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U.S. key to development of new Taiwan-built fighters: Defense contractor

ROC Central News Agency

05/03/2023 08:33 PM

Taipei, May 3 (CNA) U.S. assistance will be critical if a government-backed program to manufacture next-generation fighter jets locally is to succeed, the head of Taiwan's largest aerospace company said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum in Taipei, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) Chairman Hu Kai-hung (胡開宏) said that while there had been progress, local manufacturers' struggles to build critical components had hindered Taiwan's development of advanced fighter jets.

Hu described assistance from Washington as critical if Taiwan is to develop such components and other systems.

According to Hu, once AIDC finishes delivering all 66 domestically built "Brave Eagle" advanced jet trainers to Taiwan's government in 2026, it will move on to the research and development of basic jet trainers.

Hu said he expected this to usher in the next phase of the program to build military aircraft locally, presenting opportunities for collaboration.

Hu highlighted the research and development (R&D) of engines, avionics, and environmental control systems as a potential areas for cooperation as these are systems and components that Taiwan's aerospace industry either cannot produce or has to rely heavily on foreign technology.

Hu called on the United States to support Taiwan's efforts to develop critical systems and components in military aircraft so that the technologies involved can be applied to the R&D of next-generation fighter jets.

Commenting on the prospect of Taiwan becoming part of the U.S.' defense supply chain, Hu said that Taiwan's top priority should be obtaining the necessary information security certification.

In particular, Taiwanese firms should seek to obtain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense, something Hu noted Australia had already done.

Hu also called on stronger government backing in providing the capital needed for R&D and in negotiations with other countries to help Taiwan secure technology transfer agreements.

Thanks to the Japanese government's injection of capital, Hu said, Japan's "three heavies" -- Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, and IHI -- were able to conduct extensive R&D into new aircraft in Boeing's pipeline and strike deals with Boeing to keep the manufacture of Boeing's new airliner in Japan.

In contrast, Taiwan-based Drewloong Precision Inc., also one of Boeing's contractors, lacks the capital necessary to carry our R&D on the same scale as Japan did, Hu said.

Turning to South Korea, Hu said that the country had spent more than NT$100 billion in collaboration with Lockheed Martin on the development of the KF-21 fighter jet.

While the KF-21 fighter jet is "not quite a fifth generation fighter jet yet," it is remarkable nonetheless, Hu added.

"When will we [Taiwan] start developing next-generation fighters?" Hu asked.

Citing India as an example, he said when the Indian government was in talks to purchase military or civilian aircraft from overseas, it always tried to secure technology transfers and tool kits related to the models being offered by manufacturers.

Hu called on members of Taiwan's aerospace industry to work together to bolster the industry, which, coupled with government policy, would see the formation of a "national team."

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/ASG