Taiwan to Develop Own Fighter Planes

The government of Taiwan will spend $1 billion in the next six years to develop high-performance jet fighters, Defense Minister Soong Chang-chih said Thursday. Soong told Parliament that Taiwan researchers have made progress in developing advanced engines, computer and weapon systems for the new aircraft.

He said Taiwan needs new fighters to boost its defense and to deter a possible Communist invasion. He said the new fighters, which military analysts said will resemble the U.S.-made F-20, are expected to join the Taiwan air force in the early 1990s.