Taiwan accelerates the deployment of the new T-5 Brave Eagle light attack aircraft to improve combat readiness
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On March 13, 2025, the Taiwanese Air Force, also known as the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF), began the deployment of T-5 Brave Eagle light attack aircraft to Gangshan Air Base this week, progressively replacing the aging AT-3 aircraft in the lead-in fighter training (LIFT) role. This transition is expected to improve the training pipeline for young pilots, facilitating a smoother integration with frontline combat aircraft as part of Taiwan’s air defense strategy.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Taiwan’s investment in its domestic defense industry is reflected in the Brave Eagle’s development, with over 55% of its components sourced from local suppliers. (Picture source: ROCAF)
The Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) program that led to the Brave Eagle’s development was launched in the early 2000s as the ROCAF sought a replacement for the AT-3 and F-5 trainers. After evaluating multiple options, including the upgraded AT-3 MAX, the Italian M-346 Master, and the South Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, the XAT-5 was selected in 2017 for domestic development in collaboration with AIDC and NCSIST. The program’s total cost was projected at TWD 68.6 billion (approximately $2,078,409,988,620), with plans to develop a modern, indigenous trainer to meet Taiwan’s operational and training requirements.
Taiwan’s investment in its domestic defense industry is reflected in the Brave Eagle’s development, with over 55% of its components sourced from local suppliers. The aircraft, derived from the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo, incorporates 80% new components to enhance training efficiency and combat readiness as an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Modifications include an increased fuel capacity, a revised wing thickness for improved low-speed handling, the use of composite materials to reduce weight, redesigned air intakes for better aerodynamics, and modern avionics, including a proposed AESA radar under development by NCSIST and Tron Future Tech.
To mitigate issues related to delays in foreign-sourced components, Taiwan developed domestic alternatives for key parts, ensuring a more stable supply chain. The hydraulic oil tank, landing gear door actuator, and emergency pressurization shutoff valve were successfully developed and certified to replace imported components, reducing dependence on external suppliers. These measures allowed the production schedule to proceed with minimal disruptions while maintaining the aircraft’s technical specifications. The first prototype was unveiled in September 2019, followed by a maiden flight in June 2020. In October 2021, the first production model took to the skies, with small-scale deliveries beginning the same year.
With an estimated cost of NT$730 million (approximately $22,117,190.84) per unit, the T-5 Brave Eagle is powered by two Honeywell/ITEC F124-200TW turbofan engines, each producing 27.8 kN (6,250 lbf) of thrust. These engines enable the aircraft to achieve a top speed of 1,030 km/h, a service ceiling of 13,000 meters, and a ferry range of 1,350 km. Equipped with modern avionics and compatibility with Sky Sword I, AIM-9 Sidewinder, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, the aircraft is capable of serving in both training and light attack roles, similar to the Brazilian A-29 Super Tucano or the Chinese Hongdu L-15. The inclusion of digital flight control systems, glass cockpit interfaces, and expanded fuel capacity enhances its capability as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) while ensuring interoperability with frontline combat aircraft.
As of March 2025, the ROCAF has received 43 of the planned 66 T-5 Brave Eagle aircraft from AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation). This new trainer will not only replace the AT-3 for advanced pilot training but will also serve as the lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft for pilots transitioning to frontline fighter squadrons. With the aircraft now entering operational training at Gangshan Air Base, the ROCAF aims to complete the full transition by 2026, ensuring a steady flow of trained pilots ready for Taiwan’s aerial defense requirements.
The aircraft, derived from the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo, incorporates 80% new components to enhance training efficiency and combat readiness as an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. (Picture source: ROCAF)
As part of broader training reforms, the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) restructured its flight training command on December 1, 2023. Previously subordinate to the Air Force Academy, the flight training command has now been elevated to an independent entity under the direct oversight of Air Force Command Headquarters. This change aims to streamline pilot training operations and support the integration of the T-5 Brave Eagle into service, allowing for better consolidation of flight training resources and improved training efficiency.
In comparison with its Chinese counterpart, the Hongdu JL-10/L-15 Falcon, the Chinese aircraft has a higher maximum speed of Mach 1.4 compared to the Brave Eagle’s 1,030 km/h. However, the T-5 is optimized for maneuverability and fuel efficiency, allowing for more effective extended training missions. The T-5 also benefits from a high domestic content ratio of over 55%, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, whereas the JL-10 depends heavily on Ukrainian AI-222K-25F afterburning engines. These provide superior thrust but increase fuel consumption and maintenance requirements while potentially impacting its supply chain.
Additionally, the Brave Eagle is designed to integrate a more advanced AESA radar under development by NCSIST, whereas the JL-10 currently employs a less capable PESA radar. Both aircraft support guided munitions, with the T-5 capable of deploying Sky Sword I, AIM-9 Sidewinder, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, while the JL-10 is equipped with PL-8 and SD-10 missiles. The Brave Eagle’s design prioritizes interoperability with Taiwan’s existing fighter fleet, ensuring pilots can transition seamlessly to frontline aircraft such as the F-CK-1, F-16V, and Mirage 2000-5, marking the end of the AT-3’s long service in the ROCAF.
The AT-3 advanced jet trainer was developed by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) as part of Taiwan’s efforts to produce a domestically-built training aircraft. First flown on September 16, 1980, the AT-3 was introduced into service in 1984 as the primary advanced trainer for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). A total of 63 units, including prototypes, were produced between 1984 and 1990, replacing the aging Lockheed T-33s. The AT-3 was also used in a limited attack role and served as the aircraft of the ROCAF’s Thunder Tigers aerobatic team. The aircraft’s development involved collaboration with Northrop, and many of its design elements share similarities with the F-5E/F Tiger II, which was also assembled in Taiwan.
The AT-3 is a tandem-seat, low-wing advanced jet trainer measuring 12.9 meters in length, with a wingspan of 10.46 meters and a height of 4.36 meters. It has an empty weight of 3,855 kg and a maximum takeoff weight of 7,940 kg. Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-2-2L non-afterburning turbofan engines, each generating 15.6 kN (3,500 lbf) of thrust, the aircraft reaches a maximum speed of 904 km/h (Mach 0.8) at an altitude of 11,000 meters. Its service ceiling extends to 14,650 meters, with a standard range of 2,280 km, which can be extended to 3,189 km with drop tanks. The AT-3 features seven hardpoints, including two wingtip pylons, and is capable of carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder or Sky Sword I missiles, unguided rocket pods, and general-purpose bombs such as the Mk 82, Mk 83, and Mk 84. The aircraft also includes provisions for a ventral-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun pod or 20 mm gun pods.
The T-5 Brave Eagle is powered by two Honeywell/ITEC F124-200TW turbofan engines, each producing 27.8 kN (6,250 lbf) of thrust, allowing the aircraft to achieve a top speed of 1,030 km/h, a service ceiling of 13,000 meters, and a ferry range of 1,350 km. (Picture source: ROCAF)
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On March 13, 2025, the Taiwanese Air Force, also known as the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF), began the deployment of T-5 Brave Eagle light attack aircraft to Gangshan Air Base this week, progressively replacing the aging AT-3 aircraft in the lead-in fighter training (LIFT) role. This transition is expected to improve the training pipeline for young pilots, facilitating a smoother integration with frontline combat aircraft as part of Taiwan’s air defense strategy.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Taiwan’s investment in its domestic defense industry is reflected in the Brave Eagle’s development, with over 55% of its components sourced from local suppliers. (Picture source: ROCAF)
The Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) program that led to the Brave Eagle’s development was launched in the early 2000s as the ROCAF sought a replacement for the AT-3 and F-5 trainers. After evaluating multiple options, including the upgraded AT-3 MAX, the Italian M-346 Master, and the South Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, the XAT-5 was selected in 2017 for domestic development in collaboration with AIDC and NCSIST. The program’s total cost was projected at TWD 68.6 billion (approximately $2,078,409,988,620), with plans to develop a modern, indigenous trainer to meet Taiwan’s operational and training requirements.
Taiwan’s investment in its domestic defense industry is reflected in the Brave Eagle’s development, with over 55% of its components sourced from local suppliers. The aircraft, derived from the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo, incorporates 80% new components to enhance training efficiency and combat readiness as an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Modifications include an increased fuel capacity, a revised wing thickness for improved low-speed handling, the use of composite materials to reduce weight, redesigned air intakes for better aerodynamics, and modern avionics, including a proposed AESA radar under development by NCSIST and Tron Future Tech.
To mitigate issues related to delays in foreign-sourced components, Taiwan developed domestic alternatives for key parts, ensuring a more stable supply chain. The hydraulic oil tank, landing gear door actuator, and emergency pressurization shutoff valve were successfully developed and certified to replace imported components, reducing dependence on external suppliers. These measures allowed the production schedule to proceed with minimal disruptions while maintaining the aircraft’s technical specifications. The first prototype was unveiled in September 2019, followed by a maiden flight in June 2020. In October 2021, the first production model took to the skies, with small-scale deliveries beginning the same year.
With an estimated cost of NT$730 million (approximately $22,117,190.84) per unit, the T-5 Brave Eagle is powered by two Honeywell/ITEC F124-200TW turbofan engines, each producing 27.8 kN (6,250 lbf) of thrust. These engines enable the aircraft to achieve a top speed of 1,030 km/h, a service ceiling of 13,000 meters, and a ferry range of 1,350 km. Equipped with modern avionics and compatibility with Sky Sword I, AIM-9 Sidewinder, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, the aircraft is capable of serving in both training and light attack roles, similar to the Brazilian A-29 Super Tucano or the Chinese Hongdu L-15. The inclusion of digital flight control systems, glass cockpit interfaces, and expanded fuel capacity enhances its capability as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) while ensuring interoperability with frontline combat aircraft.
As of March 2025, the ROCAF has received 43 of the planned 66 T-5 Brave Eagle aircraft from AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation). This new trainer will not only replace the AT-3 for advanced pilot training but will also serve as the lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft for pilots transitioning to frontline fighter squadrons. With the aircraft now entering operational training at Gangshan Air Base, the ROCAF aims to complete the full transition by 2026, ensuring a steady flow of trained pilots ready for Taiwan’s aerial defense requirements.
The aircraft, derived from the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo, incorporates 80% new components to enhance training efficiency and combat readiness as an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. (Picture source: ROCAF)
As part of broader training reforms, the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) restructured its flight training command on December 1, 2023. Previously subordinate to the Air Force Academy, the flight training command has now been elevated to an independent entity under the direct oversight of Air Force Command Headquarters. This change aims to streamline pilot training operations and support the integration of the T-5 Brave Eagle into service, allowing for better consolidation of flight training resources and improved training efficiency.
In comparison with its Chinese counterpart, the Hongdu JL-10/L-15 Falcon, the Chinese aircraft has a higher maximum speed of Mach 1.4 compared to the Brave Eagle’s 1,030 km/h. However, the T-5 is optimized for maneuverability and fuel efficiency, allowing for more effective extended training missions. The T-5 also benefits from a high domestic content ratio of over 55%, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, whereas the JL-10 depends heavily on Ukrainian AI-222K-25F afterburning engines. These provide superior thrust but increase fuel consumption and maintenance requirements while potentially impacting its supply chain.
Additionally, the Brave Eagle is designed to integrate a more advanced AESA radar under development by NCSIST, whereas the JL-10 currently employs a less capable PESA radar. Both aircraft support guided munitions, with the T-5 capable of deploying Sky Sword I, AIM-9 Sidewinder, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, while the JL-10 is equipped with PL-8 and SD-10 missiles. The Brave Eagle’s design prioritizes interoperability with Taiwan’s existing fighter fleet, ensuring pilots can transition seamlessly to frontline aircraft such as the F-CK-1, F-16V, and Mirage 2000-5, marking the end of the AT-3’s long service in the ROCAF.
The AT-3 advanced jet trainer was developed by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) as part of Taiwan’s efforts to produce a domestically-built training aircraft. First flown on September 16, 1980, the AT-3 was introduced into service in 1984 as the primary advanced trainer for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). A total of 63 units, including prototypes, were produced between 1984 and 1990, replacing the aging Lockheed T-33s. The AT-3 was also used in a limited attack role and served as the aircraft of the ROCAF’s Thunder Tigers aerobatic team. The aircraft’s development involved collaboration with Northrop, and many of its design elements share similarities with the F-5E/F Tiger II, which was also assembled in Taiwan.
The AT-3 is a tandem-seat, low-wing advanced jet trainer measuring 12.9 meters in length, with a wingspan of 10.46 meters and a height of 4.36 meters. It has an empty weight of 3,855 kg and a maximum takeoff weight of 7,940 kg. Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-2-2L non-afterburning turbofan engines, each generating 15.6 kN (3,500 lbf) of thrust, the aircraft reaches a maximum speed of 904 km/h (Mach 0.8) at an altitude of 11,000 meters. Its service ceiling extends to 14,650 meters, with a standard range of 2,280 km, which can be extended to 3,189 km with drop tanks. The AT-3 features seven hardpoints, including two wingtip pylons, and is capable of carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder or Sky Sword I missiles, unguided rocket pods, and general-purpose bombs such as the Mk 82, Mk 83, and Mk 84. The aircraft also includes provisions for a ventral-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun pod or 20 mm gun pods.
The T-5 Brave Eagle is powered by two Honeywell/ITEC F124-200TW turbofan engines, each producing 27.8 kN (6,250 lbf) of thrust, allowing the aircraft to achieve a top speed of 1,030 km/h, a service ceiling of 13,000 meters, and a ferry range of 1,350 km. (Picture source: ROCAF)
