Taiwan Air Force Grounds Training Jets Following Brave Eagle Crash

Taiwan’s air force reported that a training jet, locally produced under the Brave Eagle programme, experienced dual engine failure shortly after taking off from the Chihhang air base in southern Taitung county. The aircraft, on its training mission early Saturday morning, encountered significant mechanical issues which forced the sole pilot to eject safely. The pilot, identified as Major Lin, was retrieved and transported to the hospital, where officials confirmed that he was in good condition and sustained no injuries.

Immediately following the incident, all units of the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers were taken out of service for comprehensive safety inspections. The aircraft in question, which had accumulated only 183 flying hours since its inaugural test flight in 2020, crashed into the sea following the onboard emergency sequence. A special investigation team has been established to meticulously examine the cause of the dual engine failure and to reinforce the overall safety protocols for training exercises.

Developed by the state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation at a cost of TW$68.6 billion (US$2.1 billion), the AT-5 Brave Eagle is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training. This domestically built jet represents Taiwan’s latest effort to modernize its fleet and reduce reliance on older models such as the AT-3 and the United States-made F-5, which have experienced several accidents in recent years. The development of this advanced aircraft comes at a time when Taiwan is keen on strengthening its self-reliance in defence technology, particularly as China intensifies its military activities and demonstrations near the island.