Taiwan's Aero Industrial Development (AIDC) is seeking permission from the government to export its military aircraft to meet the market for new advanced trainers.
"It will either be an upgraded AT-3 or a downgraded Indigenous Defensive Fighter," says AIDC. The twin-engined, tandem seat AT-3 is no longer in production. Over 60 were built for the Taiwanese military.
The IDF, also known as the Ching Kuo, is an air defence fighter built for the Taiwan air force, which has ordered 130. AIDC says the production run should be complete by the end of this year.
Much of the technology for the aircraft came from the USA, with Lockheed Martin heavily involved in the airframe design. AlliedSignal is a partner in the ITEC joint venture with AIDC to supply the TFE1042-70 engine, and the GD-53 multi-mode radar is a variant of Lockheed Martin's APG-67. As a result, AIDC needs US Government permission, as well as clearance from its own government, to begin marketing the aircraft for export.
AIDC is talking to the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence on the issue. With the political tension between Washington and Beijing, however, industry analysts say it seems unlikely that the USA will risk antagonising mainland China by supporting AIDC's export ambitions.
Source: Flight International