A Taiwanese-made military training jet crashed on Saturday due to "dual engine failure," with the pilot successfully ejecting, the island's air force reported.
The Brave Eagle aircraft went down shortly after taking off from Chih Hang Air Base in southern Taitung County at 8:40 am (0040 GMT), according to an official statement.
The pilot, Major Lin, was rescued and transported to a hospital, where he was found to be in good health and uninjured.
The Air Force confirmed that the jet experienced "dual engine failure" and stated that a special task force would investigate the incident to determine the cause and ensure training safety.
Taiwan, which has been developing its domestic defense industry, continues to modernize its military capabilities. However, it remains reliant on US arms sales to strengthen its defenses amid growing tensions with China.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.
The Brave Eagle, developed by Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, first took flight in 2020. The pilot involved in Saturday’s crash had accumulated 183 flying hours, the Air Force noted.
This incident follows a temporary grounding of Taiwan’s Mirage 2000 fleet last September after a jet crashed into the sea. Taiwan acquired these aircraft from France in 1992 in a deal that angered China. Despite their age, the Mirage 2000s remain a key part of Taiwan’s air force, alongside US-made F-16 fighter jets and locally built Indigenous Defence Fighters.
Taiwan’s military continues to face increasing pressure from China, which has intensified incursions around the island. Military analysts classify these actions as grey-zone tactics designed to strain Taiwan's armed forces.
Within the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am on Saturday, Taiwan's defense ministry reported detecting 19 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, one official ship, and one balloon near the island.
Speaking to reporters, President Lai Ching-te urged the opposition-controlled parliament to restore frozen or reduced sections of the defense budget, emphasizing the need to show "full support for the military."
