The nation is planning to purchase trainers to replace its aging fleet of F-5E/F jets and AT-3 jet trainers, Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明) said yesterday.
The plans to procure advanced trainers are expected to be included in the Ministry of National Defense budget for 2017, Yen said while fielding questions from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) at a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
Yen also confirmed that the trainers would be multifunctional — meaning that they can be used for flight training or in combat.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
Currently, fighter pilots complete their training in T-34 trainers, the AT-3 and the F-5E/F jet, before pursuing instruction in second-generation F-16A/Bs, the Mirage 2000-5 or the Indigenous Defense Fighter, the air force said.
After the nation acquires the advanced trainers, fighter pilot training would involve T-34s, the new trainers and the second-generation jet fighters, it added.
Yen’s remarks came two days after the pilot of an AT-3 jet trainer, Lieutenant Colonel Chuang Pei-yuan (莊倍源), was killed after his aircraft crashed in a field in Zihguan District (梓官) in Greater Kaohsiung, after apparently colliding with another trainer during a training mission.
The aircraft — belonging to the Air Force Academy in Kaohsiung — were used by the Thunder Tiger Squadron and were on a training mission when the collision occurred, the air force said on Tuesday.
As the ministry is planning more military cuts, Lin asked whether the Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team would be disbanded.
Yen replied that the aerobatics team would remain intact, but the military would review whether to retain riskier maneuvers that pose greater threats to pilot safety.
The air force said previously that Chuang twice rejected appeals to bail out as he tried to steer his aircraft clear of residential areas after a midair incident.
Chuang is eligible to be memorialized at a local martyrs’ shrine, Yen said as he expressed sadness over the death of an exceptional pilot.
Initial findings of an investigation into the crash have ruled out environmental factors or mechanical failure, with “human factors” more likely to be the cause of the crash, Yen said, but added that further investigation is needed.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS