Taiwan shows off indigenous advanced jet trainer

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.