Taiwan’s air force has taken significant safety precautions following a crash involving one of its training jets, prompting the grounding of all Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers. The incident occurred on Saturday during a routine training flight when the aircraft experienced “dual engine failure” shortly after taking off from Chih Hang Air Base in southern Taitung county at approximately 8:40 AM.
The pilot of the aircraft, Major Lin, was able to eject safely and was subsequently rescued. Reports indicate that he was transported to the hospital, where he was assessed to be in “good health” with no reported injuries. In response to the crash, the air force announced that a special task force would be established to investigate the incident, with a focus on determining the cause of the engine failure and ensuring overall training safety.
The Brave Eagle aircraft, developed by Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp, has been part of Taiwan’s initiative to enhance its domestic defense capabilities. The jet’s first test flight took place in 2020, marking a step in Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military equipment. However, the island still remains heavily reliant on arms procurement from the United States to strengthen its defense posture amid ongoing tensions with China.
China asserts that Taiwan is a part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the island. In parallel with the recent incident, Taiwan’s military has faced increased pressure, as evidenced by numerous incursions made by Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels in close proximity to the island. In a 24-hour monitoring period up to 6:00 AM on Saturday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting a total of 19 Chinese military aircraft, as well as eight naval vessels, an official ship, and one balloon in the vicinity.
This is not the first instance of safety-related restrictions on Taiwan’s military fleet. In September, the air force temporarily grounded its Mirage 2000 fighter jets for precautionary safety checks following a separate crash in which one jet went down into the sea. The Mirage fighters, purchased from France in 1992, remain integral to Taiwan’s aging air force, which also includes American-made F-16 fighter jets and locally produced Indigenous Defense Fighters.
In light of these challenges, President Lai Ching-te addressed the media on Saturday, expressing hopes that the opposition-controlled parliament would reconsider recent adjustments to the defense budget. He emphasized the importance of providing full support for the military amidst escalating threats from China, asserting that, “the military is bravely protecting our country.”
