Taiwan Believes Domestic Next-Gen Fighter Could Lead To F-35

SINGAPORE—Taiwan’s defense industry has continued to urge its government to approve quickly and fund a domestically developed Advanced Defense Fighter (ADF), which it believes could unlock access to F-35s fighters.

Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) President Ma Wan-june tells local newspaper CNA that advancing weapon system development and construction capability is crucial for both Taiwan’s defense and economy, and completing such projects must be a continuous progress.

He says the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) was built in the 1980s with 55% locally produced parts, and the new Brave Eagle Advanced Trainer Jet (ATJ) with 75%. The ADF can be built domestically with 95% should Taipei give the go-ahead.

Taiwan’s 2024 defense budget will increase 3.5% year on year to a record T$606.8 billion ($18.8 billion), although at a slower rate compared to a 7.2% growth in 2023.

Former Taiwan Air Force Deputy Commander Chang Yen-ting also tells CNA the country built the IDF after the U.S rejected Taiwan’s request to acquire F-16As, and believes the service eventually could get the Lockheed Martin F-35 once the ADF comes to fruition.

In the meantime, Taiwan has to settle for the potential delivery of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16Vs from the U.S, which the U.S. Air Force says was delayed due to “complex developmental challenges,” although all aircraft are still on track to be handed over by 2026.

The U.S. State Department refuted reports that the Biden administration considered terminating the F-16 deal to Taiwan in 2022 as its policy was based on “munitions and sustainment of legacy systems,” and only proceeded because the legal challenges “were too great.”