The Taiwan air force has grounded its Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers (AJT) for safety checks following a crash incident on Friday. The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from the Chihhang air base in southern Taitung County. The pilot, Major Lin, managed to eject safely and was rescued after parachuting to safety. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be in good health with no injuries.
The AT-5 Brave Eagle, Taiwan's first domestically manufactured jet since the F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF) over three decades ago, was involved in the crash due to "dual engine failure." Despite having clocked only 183 flying hours before the incident, the aircraft already had its first test flight in 2020. An investigation team has been set up to determine the cause of the failure.
The Brave Eagle, designed by state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp, was developed with a budget of TW$68.6 billion (US$2.1 billion). It possesses capabilities similar to the F-CK-1 Ching-kuo IDF, marking a significant step in Taiwan's efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities. Taiwan's air force plans to acquire 66 units of the Brave Eagle by 2026 to replace its ageing AT-3 and United States-made F-5 training aircraft, which have suffered a series of crashes in recent years.
Amid this incident, Taiwan's defense landscape remains tense. In a 24-hour period ending at 6:00 am on Saturday, 19 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, one official ship, and a balloon were detected around the island, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. These developments underscore the growing regional tensions and highlight the importance of maintaining a robust and reliable air force.
President Lai Ching-te has called for remedial action from the opposition-controlled parliament regarding sections of the defense budget that have been frozen or cut. He emphasized the need to show full support for the military, especially in light of current geopolitical challenges.
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