Brave Eagle jet trainer soars in milestone for Taiwan defence industry
- President Tsai Ing-wen hails ‘leap’ in development for island’s aerospace industry and underlines home-grown defence policy
- 20-minute maiden flight for indigenous AJT Yung Yin, which easily converts into a fighter jet
![Taiwan’s Indigenous Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) Yung Yin [Brave Eagle] on its inaugural flight. Photo: EPA-EFE](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2020/06/22/c3f4478a-b439-11ea-94a5-08ba74052128_image_hires_131713.jpg?itok=MbUd_BEN&v=1592803040)
Taiwan’s first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT) took to the air on Monday for a 20-minute inaugural flight which signalled a milestone in the development of the island’s aerospace industry.
The pilots, who had conducted three tests before the launch, completed various manoeuvres before successfully landing the aircraft which was trimmed in bright red, white and blue paint with a soaring eagle on its tail fin. Officials from Taiwan’s Aviation Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) told reporters at the airbase the AJT had already cleared its required preflight dynamic and static tests.
The AJT, considered one of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation trainers, can be quickly converted into a warplane and was described by Tsai as an “important milestone” for the island’s aerospace industry since AIDC built 137 IDF warplanes with the help of US technology between 1981 and 1999.
![Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (centre) is presented with a model of the AJT Yung Yin [Brave Eagle] at a ceremony to mark its maiden flight. Photo: EPA-EFE](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2020/06/22/be8cf60c-b439-11ea-94a5-08ba74052128_1320x770_131713.jpg "Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (centre) is presented with a model of the AJT Yung Yin [Brave Eagle] at a ceremony to mark its maiden flight. Photo: EPA-EFE")
“The Yung Yin … not only represents a leap in development for our aerospace industry, but also the creation of 2,000 jobs and enhancement of [jet building] experience, as well as the culture of a new generation of aerospace technicians,” Tsai said at the inaugural flight ceremony.
Tsai said the AJT was designed to train air force pilots so they could safeguard the island in future, and was part of her government’s policy to develop its indigenous defence.