TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) has decided to scrap the development of next-generation fighter jets and instead try to buy them from the US. 

In January, former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) revealed Taiwan was developing an Advanced Defense Fighter (ADF) expected to enter mass production in 2031. However, Up Media reported on Saturday (Oct. 5) that the project had been canceled due to technical and procurement hurdles. 

The plan was to follow the domestic submarine construction model, with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST) as the main contractor, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) as the subcontractor, and foreign partners assisting. However, NCSIST could not develop an engine with enough thrust, leaving Taiwan no option but to apply to the US to purchase the F414-GE-400 engine for the next-generation fighter.

While the stealth design and airframe construction were not significant issues, advanced technologies like the active electronically scanned array (AESA) and electronic systems radar needed foreign expertise. NCSIST only obtained approval from the US for the export of GE’s F414-GE-400 engine under the TAA (Technical Assistance Agreement), but not for 17 additional items, including advanced electronic systems.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) met with the Air Force, NCSIST, and other relevant agencies to determine the project's feasibility. It was concluded the fighter would not only cost several hundred billion NT to develop but NCSIST could not integrate the fighter's systems. 

Before the meeting, NCSIST said it could not meet the Air Force’s operational needs. Combined with the lack of interest from foreign companies to serve as the main contractor, Koo scraped the project and decided to try and purchase fighters from the US instead.