Japan Considers Stealth Fighter Program

Improvements on Japan's F-15 fleet are being led by Mitsubishi, according to a 26 November 2007 story by Flight International. Tokyo plans on ordering new fighter aircraft, and has requested information about the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F-15 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Japan is most interested in the F-22, which incorporates stealth technology, but the U.S. is refusing to release information. This has resulted in a Japanese study of stealth technology. This might ultimately develop plans for the first indigenous fighter in almost 30 years. Some suggest the study might actually be designed to force the U.S. to release the desired F-22 information.

Pictures of the ATD-X were leaked to the press in August. It bears a strong resemblance to the F-22.

Sell Arms to Taiwan

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has almost finished a report urging the Bush Administration to approve arms sales to Taiwan, according to a Taipei Times article. Taiwan is currently attempting to purchase 66 F-16 C/D fighter airplanes.

The report will also suggest joint US/Taiwanese military exercises.

Taiwan has no Nukes

Taiwan News Online reported 21 October 2007 that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said Taiwan had no missiles or plans to develop them. Prompted by accusations from Su Chi (蘇起), who claimed Chen had ordered the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) to develop the nuclear weapons, Chen said, "there is no nuclear missile in Taiwan" and that his administration "is not going to develop any nuclear missiles."

US Investigates Chinese Helicopter Engines

Canadian-made engines have been used in China's first domestically developed attack helicopter, according to a 23 October 2007 Reuters story. The PT6 engine was developed over 40 years ago. United Technologies Corp in Canada said that the engines were sold to be used on the civilian version of the aircraft, with a Chinese version to be used in the military helicopters. The Chinese claimed delays in developing their own engine caused the Canadian-built units to be used.