Taitung air base celebrates F-5 fighter jets ahead of decommissioning｜Taiwan News

Taiwan is preparing to retire its F-5 fighter jets, which were a mainstay of air defense for decades. A Taitung air base completed its final night-training mission for the jets on Tuesday, before showcasing them in an air show the next day. After serving for 47 years, the F-5s will stand down by early 2024, to be replaced by the Taiwan-made Brave Eagle jet trainers.

F-5 fighter jets take off to the sky in a spectacular display. At Taitung’s Chih-hang Air Base, an air display showcased the retiring F-5 fighter.

Lin Wei-han
Air Force officer
Our AT-3 and F-5 fighter jets have been in use for more than 40 years. They’re also no longer used at international air shows so there are many parts that can no longer be sourced abroad.

The F-5E/F fighter jets will soon be decommissioned after 47 years in service. Their roles will be taken over by Taiwan-made Brave Eagle jet trainers.

Lin Wei-han
Air Force officer
Brave Eagle jet trainers are developed and made in Taiwan. More than 55% of the components are made domestically, so that can drive industry growth in Taiwan as well.

Derived from the T-38 jet trainer, F-5 fighter jets were the backbone of air defense from the 1970s to 1990s. At their peak, five Air Force wings used the F-5 as its primary aircraft. From 1979 to 1990, Taiwan sent more than 700 pilots and crew to the Middle East to teach F-5 jet maintenance and operation, assisting North Yemen in combat operations.

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