Taiwan Seeking a Better F-CK, With Possible Longer-Term Aspirations

Taiwan Seeking a Better F-CK, With Possible Longer-Term Aspirations

July 29, 2008: The Taipei Times passes along a China Times bulletin noting that The Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) based in Taichung has upgraded two of the Republic of China Air Force’s 130 F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo Indigenous Defense Fighters “to improve their combat-capabilities against China.” The modified parts include the Ching-Kuo’s avionics, fire-control system and landing gear, said the paper, and the two modified IDFs will make their formal debut on October 10, 2006. Upgrades of the other 128 aircraft will follow. If the money to do so is approved. A recent Flight International report notes that this has not happened, even as a major Taiwanese arms request that includes 66 F-16C/D fighters remains stalled in Washington. As one can see, the Ching-Kuo IDF borrows design features from the F-16 Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, and F-20 Tigershark, but its two ITEC TFE-1042 engines generate only 9,500 lbs/ 42kN thrust each, leaving it somewhat underpowered. These air superiority fighters made their first flight in 1989, and were declared fully operational in the RoC (Republic of China) Air Force of Taiwan in January 2000. The last of a total of 130 aircraft entered service in July 2000, and state-run AIDC was commissioned to carry out the IDF’s mid-life upgrade project in cooperation with the military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Air Force Technology had previously reported that AIDC was developing an improvement package featuring a digital cockpit and an upgraded radar. The previous Golden Dragon CD-53 multi-mode pulse Doppler radar had look-down, shoot-down capability and can operate in air and sea search mode with a range over 80 nautical miles. This is respectable performance, but many modern radars offer significant improvements. Whether improved radar performance is part of this package will make a significant difference to the Ching-Kuo’s combat capabilities, especially when facing China’s SU-30MKKs with their advanced Phazotron radars and long-range missiles. Subsequent announcements have mentioned that the upgraded “Chingkuo Imposing Eagles” have been fitted with additional fuel tanks to extend range and patrol time, a new flight control computer system, and reinforced structure to accommodate weapon pylons for an additional pair of Tienchien (Skysword) II air-to-air missiles, raising capacity from 2 to 4. One interesting note from the Taipei Times report: “AIDC is upgrading the IDFs because in most countries, warplanes are upgraded 10 years after they have entered service. Ten years ago the Air Force launched its second-generation fleet—130 IDFs, 150 F-16 Block A/Bs and 60 Mirage 2000-5s—to boost defenses against China. The Air Force is seeking to introduce its third-generation fleet.” Recent press reports have said that Taiwan may be interested in augmenting its F-16 fleet by requesting an NT 150 billion (roughly $4 billion) order of 66 F-16 C/D Block 50/52+ aircraft from the USA, and a recent Reuters report provided confirmation courtesy of a US official. Which was true, but the USA has refused to approve the sale until Taiwan approves a critical weapons package that has been languishing for years, due to the opposition Kuomintang party’s persistent stalling on ever-shifting grounds. UPDATES: July 23/08: Flight International reports that the upgrade program has yet to be funded. Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) is urging its government to fund the program, citing the USA’s ongoing refusal to approve a multi-billion arms package request that includes F-16C/D fighters. State Department officials sympathetic to China are reportedly working to block the sale, and despite China’s rapid arms buildup, US Pacific Command, commander Adm Timothy Keating is quoted as saying that Washington’s decision makers have concluded that there is “no pressing, compelling need” for an arms sale to Taiwan. March 27/07: The first upgraded Ching-Kuo fighter makes its debut at Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.’s (AIDC) central Taiwan plant in Taichung County’s Shalu township, in central Taiwan. The upgraded aircraft will be renamed the Chingkuo Imposing Eagle.