Taiwan's advanced jet training aircraft, the AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle, developed with equity, began taxi tests last week.
The prototype of the jet developed by AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.) under a joint program flew for the first time on June 10. The flight at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base lasted about 20 minutes. The platform's official flight will take place on June 22nd.
Taiwan, which first wanted to supply the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master training aircraft, then began work on the platform to be produced locally. A deal has been signed for the T-5 advanced jet aircraft in 2017.
T-5 jets are expected to replace the current AT-3 Tzu Chung fleet. The first flight of the AT-3s, which began in 1975, was conducted in 1980. By 2026, 66 platforms are scheduled to be delivered to the air force.
