TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will continue to fly its fleet of RF-5 jets in conjunction with its F-16Vs for reconnaissance missions.

The military decommissioned its aged F-5 fighters in 2023 and replaced them with the domestically built Brave Eagle trainer jets. However, it still operates the reconnaissance variants until delivery of the MQ-9B drones and MS-110 recce pod systems is completed, CNA reported.

The Air Force has allocated NT$33 million (US$1.03 million) for a multi-year project from 2023-2025, to carry out the RF-5’s camera and avionics systems maintenance. Additionally, NT$1 million has been budgeted for technical support services to sustain the fleet. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology will handle all repairs.

Taiwan has already procured four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from the US, and personnel have been selected and sent for training in the US, with initial training starting this year. Two batches, each consisting of two drones, are planned for delivery in 2025.

The Air Force is set to receive the first batch of US-made F-16V fighter jets later this month, a military official revealed last week.

Delivery of the jets was originally scheduled to begin last year but was delayed. The Air Force has been preparing for the jets by building the largest F-16 maintenance hub in the region and stockpiling advanced munitions. 

Next year, 65 Air Force personnel will be sent to the US for F-16 training. The NT$36.64 million program will provide specialized tactical training for pilots and expand the pool of seed instructors.