Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/16
By: Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Dec. 16 (CNA) Taiwan's state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) and U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. are to sign a strategic partnership agreement Tuesday to promote the establishment of an F-16 fighter jet maintenance center in Taiwan, according to AIDC.

Taiwan is in the process of procuring 66 F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter jets, known as the F-16Vs, from the United States, which, in addition to a NT$110 billion program to have the Air Force's existing fleet of 142 F-16 A/B fighters upgraded to the same specifications as the F-16V, is expected to bring the country's F-16 fleet to over 200, which will make Taiwan the largest F-16 user in the Asia- Pacific.

AIDC is therefore seeking to collaborate with the U.S. defense contractor to build a regional F-16 maintenance repair and overhaul center in Taiwan, AIDC said.

The agreement will be signed at AIDC premises in Taichung's Shalu District, witnessed by Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and attended by Lockheed Martin representatives, Taiwanese defense and economics officials, and test pilots from the U.S. company and Taiwan's Air Force, according to AIDC.    [FULL  STORY]