Source: The Diplomat
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Yen Teh-fa, has once more reiterated his country’s interest in procuring the F-35B, the U.S. Marine Corps’ short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of Lockheed Martin’s supersonic fifth-generation fighter jet.
In a recent interview with local media, the defense minister stated that the F-35B matches the Republic of China Air Force’s (ROCAF) requirement for a STOVL fighter aircraft.
“The air force’s operational requirements dictate that the next generation of fighters must possess stealth characteristics, be short take-off capable and be able to fight beyond visual range,” the minister said on May 14. “The F-35 is a fine fighter and we are seeking it.”
The Taiwanese government has not made an official request to purchase the F-35B from the United States so far.
Read more at: https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/defense-minister-taiwan-is-seeking-f-35-stealth-fighter/