Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/02/07
By: Lu Hsin-hui and Lilian Wu

Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) Taiwan’s Air Force signed an agreement Tuesday to commission a

Shen Yi-ming (left) and Chang Guan-chung (right)

domestic military-run institute to build 66 advanced trainer planes, signaling a step forward in the government’s efforts to develop the local defense industry.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by Air Force Commander Shen Yi-ming (沈一嗚) and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) President Chang Guan-chung (張冠群), the first prototype of the trainer aircraft is expected to be completed in 2019 and test flights a year later.

By 2026, the fleet of 66 advanced trainers will be delivered to seamlessly replace the military’s AT-3 trainer aircraft and F-5 fighter jets, which are over 30 years old, the institute said.    [FULL  STORY]