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Ili M-346 ili prave svoj LIFT na bazi FCK1
Citat:TAIPEI, Taiwan, and ROME — Leonardo-Finmeccanica has launched a massive public relations effort in Taiwan to save an agreement with a local aviation company to honor a 2014 deal to co-build the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) for filling Taiwan’s air force requirement for 66 aircraft to replace aging AT-3 Tzu Chung attack/trainers.
The local aviation company, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), signed a teaming agreement for the transfer of technology, co-production and technical assistance for the M-346, but the election of a new president, Tsai Ing-wen, has thrown a wrench into the deal.
Tsai has pledged to develop indigenous weapon systems and wean Taiwan off its dependence on foreign-made arms.
Tsai has put AIDC and the Air Force in a difficult position. The new government wants to build a completely indigenous trainer, dubbed the XAT-5 AJT, according to a senior AIDC official. The Leonardo agreement is still in effect, he said, but the new president wants to change it.
“Leonardo is trying to save the agreement with a big public relations effort, but we are waiting for a final decision on whether the president will accept open bidding that will include foreign companies or go with a totally indigenous product," he said.
The decision is expected in September.
Citat:Despite the urging of Tsai to indigenously build the aircraft with minimum foreign assistance, Taiwan might have no choice but to go with the M-346 option, said a Taiwan defense analyst. The indigenous option, by comparison, is of a higher risk and requires significantly more research and development, estimated by AIDC to cost of $2.3 billion for the entire program from birth to death.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/internati...../88509314/
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