TAIPEI: An advanced training aircraft developed by Taiwan's air force, the AT-5 Brave Eagle, crashed on February 15 due to engine failure, although the pilot successfully ejected and was rescued. This incident represents a significant setback for the program, which aims to bolster the island's military capabilities amid rising tensions in the region.

The AT-5 Brave Eagle, manufactured by the state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp with an investment of T$68.6 billion (approximately $2.1 billion), had begun its test flights in 2020. The aircraft took off from the Chihhang air base in Taitung and shortly thereafter reported failure in both engines, leading to its crash into the sea after only 183 flying hours. An investigation into the incident has been initiated, marking the first such occurrence since the AT-5 began being delivered to Taiwan's air force in 2021.

With plans to acquire 66 units by 2026, the AT-5 is intended to replace the aging AT-3 and U.S.-made F-5 training aircraft that have faced multiple accidents recently. While Taiwan’s armed forces historically rely on U.S. military equipment, the government prioritizes developing a domestic defense industry in light of increasing military pressure from China, which claims sovereignty over the island.

The AT-5, equipped for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training, can utilize shorter runways for takeoff and landing. While it has the potential to be armed, such capabilities are still undergoing testing. This aircraft marks Taiwan's first domestically produced jet since the F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter, brought into service over 30 years ago, underscoring the importance of this initiative for Taiwan's strategic autonomy.

For further details, refer to Reuters and South China Morning Post.