Taiwan’s Latest Jet – The Brave Eagle Takes to the Skies
The AT‑5 Brave Eagle, a home‑grown elephant of a jet, performed a triumphant flight over Taitung’s cliffs on July 7. Not just any jet, it’s a future‑proof training squadron ready for both dogfights and ground strikes.
Why Taiwan is Proud of Their Own Skies
- While most of Taiwan’s arsenal is U.S.‑made, President Tsai Ing‑wen is fighting hard for an independent defense industry.
- With China flexing its military muscle nearby, Taiwan’s new jets aren’t just toys—they’re a necessary upgrade.
The Brave Eagle – Made in Taiwan, Made for the Future
Built by the state‑owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (ADIC), the aircraft cost T$68.6 billion (about $2.3 billion). First able to grace the skies in 2020, it’s a true domestic revival, following the old F‑CK‑1 Ching‑kuo three decades ago.
Key Features
- Designed as a dual‑role trainer – mastering air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground missions.
- Can take off and land on much shorter runways, giving pilots extra room to maneuver in emergencies.
- Wings are ready for weapons, still in the testing phase.
Flight training officer Chang Chong‑hao noted the jet’s versatility: “It feels like we have more tunnel space to breathe if something unexpected pops up!”
What the Air Force is Doing with It
Officer Huang Chun‑yuan clarified, “We’re not managing weapons here; that’s ADIC’s job. Right now, we’re full‑time on classic conversion training and tandem flying.”
Replacing the Old Guard
With 66 of these modern beauties planned for the air force by 2026, Taiwan is bidding farewell to the aging AT‑3s and F‑5s that have seen several crashes in recent years. The older AT‑3 (first flew in 1980) had a mishap in May, and three F‑5s have crashed over the past year. Although the F‑5s were once frontline, they’re now relics.
In a Nutshell
- Taiwan’s new jets are fast, flexible, and ready to train pilots for the real world.
- They represent a strong step toward a self‑sustaining defense line.
- They also showcase Taiwan’s ability to build next‑generation aircraft on home soil.
So, when the Brave Eagle soars over Taitung, it’s not just a flight demo—it’s a bold statement that Taiwan will keep its wings—both literally and figuratively—strong.
