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The move is a precursor towards developing an indigenous short take-off and vertical landing fighter (STOVL) by Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC).
AIDC informed the DPP that the company would require 13 years to master the technology required for thrust vectoring nozzle. Using the IDF fighter as a basis, another 13 years are needed to produce a prototype.
The program will also face obstacles from Britain as the Pegasus engine technology belongs to Rolls Royce. The RoCAF must also be persuaded to give up its hope of obtaining the F-35B.
They see a VSTOL as the only way to prolong a fight with China as most long runways will be taking out in the first few hours of any potential conflict with China.
One of the talking points Tsai made during her campaign was to increase defense spending…
originally posted by: Barnalby
a reply to: intrptr
Hardened Switzerland-style mountainside bunker hangars leading to 300ft runways with ski jumps for land-based STOVL operations would be one option. They'd be cheap enough to build that Taiwan could scatter a dozen or two of them throughout the country the way the Swiss do, with only 2-3 aircraft per "micro-base", so in a combat situation you could scramble most of them in the ~5-10 minutes before the missiles hit.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
Taiwan is well aware of what China can do to them and has prepared for it. There are multiple underground command posts and bases in the mountains, including one rumored capable of operating over 200 aircraft.
originally posted by: MrSpad
The day you know things have gone bad between China and the US is they day you see massive new arms shipments of modern weapons to Taiwan, Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam. That would be a good sign war was coming.
originally posted by: Arnie123
a reply to: MrSpad
Long time Mr. Spad, as always you deliver an informative post.
Makes me wish I should of stayed military and see how far I might of progressed.
I've been closely watching the situation in the south china sea.
I often wondered what would happen if we decided to give Japan its "sword" back.
We're allies now, right? A militarized Japan in the region would probably be a huge cause of concern for China, especially old wounds...