The Taiwanese Air Force has demonstrated its new T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer at Chihhang air base in Taitung.
The aircraft is a product of the country’s push to prioritize indigenous development of advanced military equipment amid increasing pressure from China.
Developed by the state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, the T-5 Brave Eagle is suitable for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training missions.
It can also be integrated with a variety of weapons in the event of war.
“So, it helps give the students more space to deal with some unforeseen situations,” flight training officer Chang Chong-hao said.
The Taiwanese Air Force plans to procure 66 units of the T-5 Brave Eagle by 2026 to replace its aging and accident-prone AT-3 and F-5 training aircraft.
The island nation has allotted 68.6 billion Taiwanese dollars ($2.3 billion) for the T-5 jet trainer program.
The indigenous #BraveEagle advanced jet trainer #ROCAF received since last year screamed above Taitung along with F-5s, whose job in lead-in fighter training will be passed to the Brave Eagles. Our student pilots are taught hard and solid to ensure our skies are in good hands. pic.twitter.com/Of7HWkOyK8
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) July 6, 2022
