Monday, June 30, 2025
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result
Home Defence & Military News Air Force News

Taiwan unveils upgraded fighter jets

by Agence France-Presse
July 1, 2011
in Air Force News
1 min read
0
Taiwan unveils upgraded fighter jets
14
VIEWS

Taiwan on Thursday unveiled an upgraded version of its locally developed fighter jet in a bid to boost its air defences against China after the US declined to sell it F16 warplanes.

Taipei began the upgrade in 2009 after Washington, the island’s leading arms supplier, allegedly held up its request to buy new fighter jets for fear of angering Beijing.

“I hope the IDF jets will stand for ‘I do fight’ and ‘I don’t fail’,” said President Ma Ying-jeou, who gave a thumbs-up as he sat in the cockpit of the improved warplane.

The defence ministry has said it plans to upgrade 71 Indigenous Defensive Fighters (IDF), nearly half of the fleet, in a four-year project estimated to cost $587 million.

The retro-fitted jets have enhanced radar, electronic fighting systems and mission computers, experts say. They are armed with four locally made air-to-air missiles — up from two previously — as well as ground attack bombs and missiles.

Ma has repeatedly urged Washington to sell Taiwan F16 C/D jets, saying they are critical to help the island maintain sufficient self-defence capabilities against China’s rapidly expanding military.

The United States last year approved $6.4 billion of weapons sales to Taiwan, including Patriot missiles and Black Hawk helicopters, but the fighter jets were not among them.

China still claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which it regards as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, and opposes any arms sales to the island. The two sides have been governed separately since their split in 1949 after a civil war.

Tags: F-16Fighter Aircraftfighter jetstaiwanupgrades
Previous Post

Gabbiano Radars Selected for Elbit Systems UAS

Next Post

Australia plots biggest post-war military sale

Related Posts

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

April 8, 2025

Germany said Friday it would buy explosive drones for the first time as Berlin boosts investments in its armed forces...

F-22 Raptor

Trump, Hegseth Announce Air Force’s Next Generation Fighter Platform

March 21, 2025

During a press conference at the White House today, President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that...

Next Post
Israel to buy 20 F-35 fighter jets in deal with US

Australia plots biggest post-war military sale

Latest Defense News

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

May 17, 2025
Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

May 10, 2025
Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

May 10, 2025
J-10C fighter jet

Pakistan says India has brought neighbours ‘closer to major conflict’

May 9, 2025
North Korea fires multiple suspected cruise missiles

North Korea fires flurry of short-range ballistic missiles

May 9, 2025
China says ‘closely watching’ Ukraine situation after Russian attack

China vows to stand with Russia in face of ‘hegemonic bullying’

May 9, 2025

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Spanish Navy - Armada Española
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • ADF General discussion thread
  • Canada Defence Force
  • Middle East Defence & Security
  • PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • Vietnamese Air Force
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com