The tension between China and Taiwan has reached its highest level in recent years.
Although China has overwhelming military superiority over Taiwan, the island has a commendable air force both in terms of numbers and equipment.
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Below, find out which fighter jets are available in the country’s arsenal.
F-16
The American F-16 fighter is the most numerous combat aircraft in Taiwan’s arsenal. According to the World Air Forces 2022 yearbook, the country has 138 units of this supersonic aircraft.
They are A and B versions, acquired in the 1990s and currently undergoing upgrades to a standard close to the latest V version. Simultaneously, the country is in the process of receiving brand new units of the F-16V.
F-CK-1 Ching-kuo
With 129 units in operation, Taiwan’s second most important fighter is the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo, a supersonic jet capable of flying at a speed of Mach 1.8.
Designed in the 1990s, the F-CK-1 was designed and produced in the country by the local aerospace company Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation. It is equipped with American engines and can use missiles and bombs from the US as well as those developed by the local industry.
F-5
The veteran F-5 E/F has 62 units in operation in Taiwan. They are remnants of a total of 308 units produced under license in the 1970s by AIDC.
Unlike other countries such as Brazil, Taiwan’s F-5 E/Fs never underwent an extensive modernization program, although some units were later converted to perform reconnaissance missions.
Mirage 2000-5
Taiwan has 55 units of the French fighter jet Mirage 2000-5, which were acquired by the country around the same time as the first F-16s.
The MICA missiles that equip the French jet turned the 2000-5 into the country’s first aircraft with BVR (Beyond Visual Range) combat capability.
Photos: Wikipedia