The US and Taiwan will cooperate to develop a new generation of fighter

Taiwan is seeking US cooperation to develop a new generation of fighter jets for Taipei.Taiwan wants to develop its own latest-generation fighter jets, Hu Kai-hung, head of Taiwan's defense contractor Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC), said on Wednesday. Taipei is looking for cooperation with Washington in the creation of combat aircraft against the backdrop of increased pressure from China, he said.

"When it comes to developing the next generation fighter jet, we hope the United States will support Taiwan in its independent development, including engine, avionics, control systems, environmental controls, etc., which is an opportunity for Taiwanese-US cooperation." Hu Kai-Hung explained.

As the head of AIDC pointed out, domestically produced aircraft is the way Taiwan should go in the current situation. At the same time, Hu Kai-Hung did not specify at what stage the development of its own fighters is, although such plans were discussed in Taipei back in 2017.

The issue of Taiwan's status is one of the most painful for Beijing. Despite the fact that most of the world's states adhere to the "one China" policy, since the end of the war in 1949, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, has been a de facto independent state. Beijing considers Taiwan an integral part of the PRC, criticizing any unauthorized contacts with Taipei.Earlier it was reported that Taiwan intends to purchase 400 Harpoon missiles from the United States to repel possible Chinese attacks.