Defense News

110/03/31

Clarification is made in response to media reports that "F-5 fighter jets are still flying when warning lights are on," and "the government is withholding money for ejection seats."

In response to media reports that "F-5 fighters are still flying with warning lights on" and "the government begrudges spending the money for ejection seats," the Air Force Command refutes today (31) that any flight training must be carried out in proper and available conditions of the aircraft before the Command allows the go-ahead for flying, and aircraft are in no way approved to fly with failures. Furthermore, the plan of "new ejection seat replacement" has long been implemented. As such, false comments made by the outside world have, in reality, brought about a second injury to the family members of the pilots and affected the morale of the Armed Forces. The Command has thus expressed condemnation and regret for such reports.

The Air Force Command states that the plan for new ejection seat replacement for the Air Force F-5 fleet was actually launched right after the "1029 Project" in 2020, while the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has also approved a budget of more than NT$780 million for appropriation. As such, the Air Force can accelerate the acceptance for the seat replacement operation.

The Air Force Command emphasizes that, in addition to the full-scale search and rescue of the missing personnel, “Tian-an Special Inspection” for F-16 and other major fighters has been completed, and the aircraft has been approved to resume flight missions, while F-5 aircraft will be allowed to fly after the overall safety assessment is provided. The Command urges all our nationals to support the Armed Forces in its firm belief in safeguarding our national security.

110/03/25

In response to the media report that "the Air Force was striving to replace ejection chairs last year and turned to the Ministry of National Defense for help but was denied due to funding,” the Ministry of National Defense refuted the report as it se

Press release of the Ministry of National Defense

Time: 1830 on March 25, 2021

In response to the media report that "the Air Force was striving to replace ejection chairs last year and turned to the Ministry of National Defense (MND) for help but was denied due to funding,” the MND refutes it today (25) as the content of the report seriously deviates from the facts and clarifies as follows:

The Air Force has immediately started the replacement of new ejection seats for F-5 aircraft after "Project 1029" was initiated in 2020. Afterwards, the MND received the report of the work plan from the Air Force in December 2020 and began to assist the Air Force in providing an additional work plan for the budget. Furthermore, the MND has also asked the Air Force to coordinate with the manufacturers to actively carry out follow-up changes for equipment and gear. When the MND was notified that the Air Force had obtained an official quotation, it immediately approved the budget requirements on March 19. Therefore, the media claim that "the Ministry of National Defense had first rejected the request from the Air Force until the plan was approved by March 19 this year" is untrue. As such, the MND hereby clarifies the truth.
The whole project is scheduled to run from 2021 to 2023 with NT$ 780 million, and the Air Force will be well supported with funding for the first installment with the annual budget for 2021, while subsequent appropriation has been prepared in line with the requirements of the annual budget.
The MDN urges the outside world not to spread false information to avoid misleading the society and affecting the morale of military servicemen.

About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent

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