Chinese Control of Half of Taiwan by 2050?
MetaculusMay 28, 2024
Taiwan: Brave Eagle Training Jet Crashes, Pilot Rescued
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Above: Taiwan Air Force Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers take off during a demonstration at Chih Hang Air Base in Taitung County, Taiwan, on July 6, 2022. Image copyright: I-Hwa Cheng/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
A Taiwanese-made Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer crashed on Saturday at 8:40 am local time after experiencing dual engine failure shortly after takeoff from Chih Hang Air Base in Taitung County.
The pilot, Air Force Major-in-Training Lin Wei, who had accumulated 183 flying hours on the aircraft, successfully ejected and was rescued from the waters off Taitung's Dulan coastal area before being taken to the hospital with no serious injuries.
The Taiwan Air Force immediately grounded all Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers for safety checks and established a special task force to investigate the cause of the crash.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Brave Eagle program highlights Taiwan's growing capability to develop advanced military technology domestically and strengthen national defense autonomy. While Saturday's incident will be investigated to ensure training safety, Taiwan will continue modernizing its military to counter China's growing assertiveness.
Narrative B
The crash raises serious concerns about the reliability of domestically produced military aircraft and highlights the risks of rushing military modernization programs. The incident underscores Taiwan's continued dependence on US military support and the challenges faced in developing a robust indigenous defense industry.
