Taiwan’s air force has showed off its new T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer in a flying display to show the capabilities of its homegrown aircraft.
Three of the jets took to the skies from the Chihhang air base in Taitung in front of reporters, according to a Reuters article published on July 6, 2022.
The Reuters report cited flight training officer Chang Chong-hao as saying the Brave Eagle was suitable for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training purposes. The trainer can be equipped with weapons, although that remains in the testing phase.
The Brave Eagle is made by Aerospace Industrial Development Corp and had its first test flight in 2020. The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) intends to take 66 of the supersonic trainers, whose design is based on the F-CK-1 fighter produced by Taiwan.
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
— Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) July 6, 2022
The Ministry of National Defence said via social media that the Brave Eagles will take over lead-in fighter training from F-5s, which also took part in the display.
There have been several accidents this year involving ROCAF aircraft in Taiwan, the most recent in May, when an AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung trainer jet crashed shortly after take-off, killing the pilot.