TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese and French pilots have just concluded joint aerial combat training exercises that included all three of the Air Force's fighter jet models.
On Tuesday (Dec. 3), the annual exercises concluded at Chiashan Air Force Base in Hualien after a month and a half of training, per Liberty Times. This year, Taiwanese and French Mirage 2000-5 pilots not only engaged in tactical confrontations with the “aggressor squadron” operating F-16Vs but also sparred with IDF fighters from Tainan Air Force Base and
Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base.
In mid-October, the Air Force's 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing dispatched six Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Chiashan Air Force Base for tactical training and engagements with the simulated enemy squadron. This year, the exercises also incorporated the IDF fleet, featuring several joint tactical drills involving all three main fighter jet models.
The Taiwan-France exchange has been a crucial annual training program since the Air Force acquired Mirage jets. In addition to sending elite pilots to France to learn the latest tactics for Mirage-series fighters, the Air Force in recent years has invited active duty and retired French Air Force personnel to Taiwan for joint training with pilots from the 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing.
This year's exchange included training at Hsinchu Air Force Base and deploying six Mirage jets (one two-seater and five single-seaters) in mid-October. Two to three French pilots were among the contingent.
The 17th Squadron at Chiashan Air Force Base served as the aggressor squadron, conducting air combat tactical drills. The program also included confrontations involving F-16Vs and IDFs, providing pilots of various aircraft types with opportunities to interact and train with foreign pilots.
The Air Force spends nearly NT$50 million (US$1.53 million) annually to sustain the Taiwan-France pilot training and exchange program. This includes NT$20 for equipment and technical training, NT$10 million for tactical training, and NT$18 million for the tactical simulator training program.