The Columbian Air Force is to purchase 18 of Taiwan’s decommissioned F-5 jets and upgrade them, according to a report on a Spanish-language news site published yesterday.
Taiwan’s air force used F-5 jets for military training and decommissioned them at the end of last year.
Five US companies are currently negotiating the purchase, and the sales process is to comply with US regulations on third-party transfers, the air force announced earlier this month.
Photo: Taipei Times
The Columbian Air Force received a quotation from the US fighter jet modification company Tiger Century for 18 F-5MR4 Agile Tiger jets, the Spanish military Web site Infodefensa reported.
These planes would be modernized from Taiwan’s decommissioned F-5 jets, the report said.
The contract, which includes nine spare engines, logistical support and training services, is valued at US$410 million, it said.
Tiger Century, founded in 1996 by Andrew Skow, specializes in the modernization and maintenance of T-38 and F-5 aircrafts.
The company has collaborated on F-5 upgrades for countries including Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, Brazil and Chile, according to its Web site.
The 18 fighter jets are expected to be delivered to Columbia by June or July next year, the report said.
By 2028, they could complete upgrades to the Block 3Q version, including modernized equipment such as the active electronically scanned array radar, infrared search and track system and radar warning receivers, it said.
These upgrades could extend the aircrafts’ service life for another 20 to 25 years, replacing the decommissioned US A-37B Dragonfly light attack aircraft, the report said.
In recent years, Taiwan’s air force has been enhancing its combat abilities by procuring F-16C/D Block 70 jets from the US, domestically producing Brave Eagle advanced trainer jets and decommissioning old aircraft.
The air force upgraded Taitung’s 7th Wing, originally responsible for training, to the “7th Tactical Fighter Wing” to prepare for the arrival of F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets at the end of last year.
It also decommissioned F-5E/F jets from active duty, retaining a small number of RF-5E aircrafts for aerial reconnaissance.
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