Taiwan’s Air Force has received the 66th and final production T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer, completing a program launched more than nine years ago to replace two older training aircraft types.
Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) delivered the final two aircraft, numbered 1165 and 1166, to the Republic of China Air Force Academy at Gangshan on September 24. AIDC chairman Tsao Chin-ping took part in the delivery flight.
The two T-5s departed at around 11 a.m. local time, flew a circuit around Qingquangang Airport and made a low pass over AIDC’s Shalu facility before continuing to Gangshan. They landed at 11:36 a.m., according to the manufacturer.
The delivery came exactly seven years after the first T-5 prototype was rolled out on September 24, 2019. The aircraft made its maiden flight in June 2020, while series production began in 2021.
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AIDC was responsible for aircraft design integration, component production, assembly and testing. More than 200 Taiwanese suppliers participated in the program, while the manufacturer puts the T-5’s domestic content at 55%.
T-5 extensively redesigned from Taiwanese fighter
The twin-engine T-5 was developed from Taiwan’s F-CK-1 Ching-kuo fighter, although AIDC says more than 80% of the aircraft was redesigned, including its aerodynamics, external shape and airframe details. It is powered by two F124-200TW turbofan engines and has a maximum speed of Mach 0.97.
The Brave Eagle replaces the AT-3 advanced trainer and F-5E/F fighters previously used for training. Taiwan reorganized pilot instruction around a three-stage, two-aircraft system, with the T-5 handling both advanced and operational flight training before pilots transition to frontline fighters.
Although AIDC has now delivered all 66 production aircraft covered by the program, the Air Force does not have 66 surviving T-5s. Aircraft 1130 was lost in February 2025 after its pilot reported a dual-engine power failure and ejected safely.
The Brave Eagle has also taken over another role previously performed by the AT-3. Taiwan’s Thunder Tigers aerobatic team now flies T-5s, with aircraft equipped with smoke-generation systems for demonstrations.
The red, white and blue livery seen on those aircraft is the standard Brave Eagle color scheme rather than a Thunder Tigers-specific paint scheme. The Air Force lists the aerobatic team among the T-5’s current operators.
With production completed, AIDC said its work on the T-5 will shift toward maintenance, upgrades and logistics support under a life-cycle support arrangement with the Air Force.
