2020/10/29
Air Force Command issues a press release in response to media reports that "F-5 was previously scheduled to be made obsolete in 2019", "delayed delivery of the Brave Eagle (Yong Ying in Mandarin) has forced it to continue with its flight service", an
In response to media reports that "F-5 was previously scheduled to be made obsolete in 2019", "delayed delivery of the Brave Eagle (Yong Ying in Mandarin) has forced it to continue with its flight service", and "F-5E/F models are obsolete, but are still in use and causing accidents", all of which are a misunderstanding and inconsistent with facts, Air Force Command has issued the following clarification:
In 2015, the project procedure was established for the new advanced trainer aircraft of the Air Force and was submitted to Executive Yuan according to relevant regulations, but approval was denied. A new project procedure was submitted again in 2016.
2. The implementation progress of the new advanced trainer aircraft is current moving forward as scheduled, while the delivery upon mass production with the aircraft should start in 2021 by lots. The Air Force will gradually remove the F5E/F aircraft according to schedule, with all replacements planned to be completed by 2024.
3. During the period from 1994 to 2000, the Air Force completed structural strengthening on the F5 aircraft. The aircraft was also evaluated by the original producer in 2004, which indicated that the life-span of a single-seat jet is 14,779 hours, and 30,000 hours for two-seat jet. At present, the average flying hours of F5 aircraft in the Air Force is 7,825 hours; well below the original specifications indicated by the US manufacturer. Furthermore, the Air Force also regularly conducts F5 structural examinations based on technical orders to ensure the smooth execution of various flight training tasks. There are also still 26 countries around the world that regularly use F-5 aircraft without fears of them being near-obsolete.
4. With support from government policies in recent years, the Air Force has successfully completed the acquisition of advanced weapons such as new F-16V fighters. As such, the new fighter jets will, on the one hand, speed up the renewal scheduling for all aircraft types, whereas the other newly purchased weapons will also enhance our deterring capabilities on a larger scale.
5. The Air Force extends its upmost sympathies and regrets at the death of an esteemed colleague, and thoughts are with his family at this painful time. The Air Force would also like to call upon everyone from all walks of life to continue their support for the Air Force in its bid to follow an intensive training program to build on our ability to defend our airspace.