TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Air Force has taken delivery of 56 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers, according to the latest Ministry of National Defense report.
Taiwan is procuring 66 AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle aircraft as part of its domestic fighter development program, per Liberty Times. The aircraft are derived from the Indigenous Defense Fighter platform and are intended to replace AT-3 and F-5 training aircraft, serving as a key transitional training platform for pilots before they move on to combat aircraft.
The two-seat trainer is equipped with a digital cockpit, advanced flight control systems, and simulated combat capabilities. It can perform multi-stage training, including basic flight, instrument flying, and tactical operations, and has limited weapons carriage capability.
The Air Force originally planned to procure 66 aircraft, but after aircraft No. 1130 crashed last year, the number of operational aircraft is effectively 65, Liberty Times reported.
The Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee will on Wednesday invite the Ministry of National Defense to present its business report and review the ministry’s annual budget, per NOWNews. According to the written report submitted to lawmakers in advance, the military has been producing the Brave Eagle aircraft since 2017 under a phased production plan that runs through this year.
Production and delivery have proceeded according to the annual schedule. So far, 56 units have been delivered, meaning 10 remain to be handed over by the end of this year, Liberty Times reported.
