Taiwan set to purchase advanced trainers in 2017: defense minister

Taiwan is planning to purchase advanced trainers to replace its aging fleet of F-5E/F jet fighters and AT-3 jet trainers, Defense Minister Yen Ming said Thursday.

The plans to procure advanced trainers are expected to be included in the Ministry of National Defense budget for 2017, Yen said while fielding questions from Legislator Lin Yu-fang of the ruling Kuomintang before the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.

Yen also confirmed that the trainers will be multi-functional -- meaning that they can be used for routine flight training missions but will also be capable of use in combat missions in time of war.

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