air-force

Taiwan may convert retired fighter jets into drones

Taiwan air force F-5
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Taiwan’s defense industry is considering converting its aging F-5 fleet into Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) as constant provocations by the Chinese military puts pressure on air force manpower, it was revealed in Taiwan’s legislature today. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng met with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today, May 4, to report on a range of issues, including the Naval and Air Combat Power Enhancement Plan and F-16V(Block 70) procurement progress. Democratic

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Air Force plane makes emergency belly landing in southern Taiwan

early warning aircraft after emergency belly landing
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

All crew members are safe after an emergency belly-landing of E-2K early warning aircraft in Pingtung County this morning, November 25, Taiwan’s Air Force Command said in a press release. According to reports, the E-2K belonging to the Early Warning Aircraft 2nd Squadron of the Electronic Warfare Brigade departed at 9:50 am on a routine training mission. When preparing to land shortly after 11:00 am, an abnormality in the landing gear was reported. Flight officer, Major Chang Wei-ye, landed the

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Pilot rescued after fighter plane crashes into ocean

Taiwan Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

An ROC Air Force fighter jet crashed into the ocean off Taiwan’s east coast this morning, and the pilot was rescued after ejecting from the aircraft, according the Ministry of National Defense. At 11:25 am, The Dassault Mirage 2000 crashed into the Pacific Ocean around 10 nautical miles off the coast of Taitung County after taking off from the Taitung Chihhang Air Base at 10:08 am. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng said that the Ministry of National Defense had dispatched

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F-16 fighters back in the air after being grounded following crash

Taiwan ROC air force F-16V
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

A sortie of four two-seater F-16V fighter jets took off from Chiayi Airforce Base this morning, marking a return to the air for F-16 fleet after being grounded for inspection following a crash January 11. The squadron was led by Major General Wei Zhaolin, in a morale-boosting return to combat readiness, Air Force Command said. All F-16’s, including standard and upgraded F-16V (BLOCK 20), in both single and two-seat configurations are now returned to flight service, AFC said. In the

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Flight data recorder of crashed F-16 found

composite image of F16V and wreckage
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Taiwan’s Air Force Command announced this evening that the flight data recorder (black box) of an F-16V fighter that crashed into the sea on Taiwan’s west coast has been found. The single-seat fighter plane crashed into the sea close to the shore of the Aogu Wetlands in Dongshi Township, Chiayi County, during a training mission on Tuesday, January 11. A search and rescue mission turned into a salvage and recovery operation after it was confirmed that the 28-year-old pilot, Captain

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Air force F-16V fighter reported to have crashed at sea

Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

An ROC Air Force F-16V fighter aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of Chiayi County, according reports this afternoon, Tuesday, January 11. The single-seat F-16V No.6650 was conducting air-to-ground bombing training when it crashed into the sear near Dongshi Township at 3:23 pm. Coast Guard vessels and two military helicopters were immediately dispatched to search for the 28-year-old pilot, Captain Chen Yi. Air Force Command stated in a press release this afternoon that the fighter jet No. 6650

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Chinese air force’s new aerial tanker seen flying in Taiwan ADIZ for first time

composite image of Y-20U and Taiwan ADIZ incursions
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A recently developed aircraft designed to extend the range China’s air combat forces was detected flying in airspace southwest of Taiwan today, November 28. The Y-20U aerial tanker was one of 27 aircraft to draw a response from Taiwan’s air defence forces by flying into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today. Fifteen of the sorties continued through the Bashi Channel to into airspace over the Philippine Sea southeast of Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, among the

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China intensifies gray-zone warfare with record-breaking 39 flights into Taiwan defence zone in single day

PLA H-6 bomber shadowed by ROC Airforce F-16
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 3 Comments , , ,

China sent 39 military aircraft into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone Saturday, October 2, one more than the previous record set just one day earlier. Ministry of National Defense officials said Saturday evening that the PLA Air Force had flown 20 sorties, including 14 J-16 fighters, 4 Sukai-30 fighters, and 2 Yun-8 anti-submarine aircraft into the southwest section of Taiwan’s ADIZ during the day. At midnight, the MND announced that a further 19 sorties had been flown after nightfall, including

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F-16 slips off runway on landing at Pingtung Air Base

F-16 nose down off runway Pingtung Air Base
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

An air force F-16 fighter aircraft left the runway, and ended up nose-down at Pingtung Air Base this morning, according to reports today, Tuesday, August 31. Pilots were rehearsing for the upcoming Han Kuang military exercises when the fighter jet overran the runway after landing at around 6:30 am. Witnesses reported seeing several firetrucks and ambulances rush to the scene of the incident. The Ministry of National Defense said that the pilot is uninjured but has been sent to hospital

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F-16 makes emergency landing after canopy flies off: suspected human error

F-16V involved in cockpit canopy incident
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A pilot was forced to make an emergency landing yesterday after the cockpit canopy flew of an air force F-16V, and an investigation into the incident is moving in the direction of human negligence, according to a senior air force official. The F-16 was one of four fighters to take off from Chiayi Air Force Base on a routine training mission at 7:29 am yesterday, August 11. However, shortly after the aircraft’s wheels left the tarmac, the cockpit canopy suddenly

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China sends record 28 military flights into Taiwan ADIZ in one day: a response to G7 summit statement?

Chinese J-11 fighter jet.
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The People’s Republic of China made 28 military aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today, June 15, a record number that follows an ‘unprecedented’ communique from the Group of Seven that highlighted the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait just two days ago. The G7 communique issued June 13 reiterated the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo Pacific, and mentioning Taiwan for the first time in the group’s history, stated “We underscore

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