Out of these sorties, 18 crossed the central line of the Taiwan Strait and extended into the island country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).  

During the operation, the PLA conducted joint combat readiness patrols with 10 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships. 

In response to this, the Taiwanese military scrambled fighter jets, ships, and shore-based missile systems to respond appropriately, as stated by the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense. 

Two days before, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that a Chinese Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft, H-6 bombers, and at least one drone flew from the East China Sea and passed between Sakishima精东影业 main island, Miyakojima and Taiping, in the Okinawa prefecture.听

The ministry stated that fighter jets from the Southwestern Air Defense Force of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled in response. The 9th Air Wing of the Southwestern Air Defense Force operates a fleet of Mitsubishi F-15J fighters, a domestically produced version of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. 

Taiwan invests $339M in Mirage 2000-5 fleet combat readiness

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2024-01-11

Here, we delve into its capabilities and explore the reasons behind the F-15’s enduring production since 1972, unpacking exactly what makes it so noteworthy.听

Origins and development of F-15听

The roots of the F-15 Eagle can be traced back to the late 1960s when the United States Air Force (USAF) sought a superior air-to-air fighter. In 1969, after evaluating various proposals, the USAF chose the design put forth by McDonnell Douglas.  

This marked the birth of the F-15, an all-weather tactical fighter jet featuring twin engines and designed to outclass any potential adversary. It was one of the first fighter jets to be designed according to doctrine (as opposed to interceptors) of the USAF. 

The initial versions of the Eagle comprised the single-seat F-15 and the twin-seat training TF-15 variants. Following the maiden flight of the F-15C, the designations were renamed F-15A and F-15B. The aircraft were equipped with new Pratt & Whitney F100 engines, achieving a combat thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 1:1 allowing them to pitch straight up while maintaining airspeed. 

The inaugural flight of the F-15A took place on July 27, 1972, with the two-seat F-15B completing its maiden flight a year later.听 The aircraft entered service in January 1976.听

Design and technology听

The F-15 features a semi-monocoque fuselage constructed from all-metal materials, complemented by a substantial cantilever and shoulder-mounted wing. It can make sharp turns without losing speed because of its low weight-to-wing area ratio and a high thrust-to-weight ratio, making it highly maneuverable. The F-15 is also the fastest fighter jet in US service in terms of deployed aircraft.  

It can ascend to 30,000 feet (9,100 meters) in approximately 60 seconds and fly for about without refueling. When flying at specific speeds, the combined thrust of its dual engines exceeds the aircraft’s combat weight and drag, allowing it to accelerate vertically. 

The F-15 is also equipped with a 鈥� radar capable of distinguishing moving targets close to the ground amidst background noise. In contrast to the F-14 Tomcat or F-4 Phantom, the F-15 has a single canopy frame, providing the pilot with an unobstructed 360掳 field of view.听

The F-15 even demonstrated its ability to maintain controlled flight with just one wing during a in 1983. Despite losing most of the starboard wing, the pilot adapted swiftly, mastering the techniques required to fly and safely land the aircraft. 

The F-15 comes with a versatile avionics system, featuring a head-up display (HUD), advanced radar, inertial guidance, flight instruments, high-frequency communications, and navigation systems. Additionally, it includes an internal electronic warfare system, friend-or-foe identification, electronic countermeasures, and a central digital computer. 

The visible-in-any-light HUD display gives the pilot essential information for tracking and eliminating an enemy aircraft without the need to divert attention to cockpit instruments. 

Operational history听

One of the remarkable feats of the F-15 is its of 104 victories, never having lost a dogfight or been shot down in combat. The aircraft took part in the Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield and the Yemen Civil War. This unparalleled success has solidified its reputation as an air superiority juggernaut. 

Despite the F-15 being primarily designed for the USAF, it was the Israeli Air Force (IAF) that made the most use of its capabilities. IAF ace achieved the first F-15 kill in 1979. In total, IAF pilots have achieved more than 50% of F-15 kills. Israel was also the first operator to develop and use the air-to-ground capabilities of the air-superiority F-15 variants, leveraging its extended range compared to other IAF aircraft. 

An F-15 nicknamed ‘ made history on September 13, 1985, by destroying a satellite called Solwind P78-1. It was the first and only time a jet achieved an air-to-space kill. 

The F-15 has continually adapted to contemporary challenges, maintaining relevance in modern conflicts. Its versatility has allowed it to evolve with advancements in technology, ensuring that it remains a critical asset in the ever-changing landscape of aerial warfare.

Variants and current operators听

Here are the most significant variants of the F-15, both in terms of prominence and the number of aircraft built: 

• F-15A: The single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version, of which 384 units were built between 1972 and 1979. Retired on 16 September 2009. 
• F-15B: Built and retired together with F-15A. Two-seat training version with 61 units built. 
• F-15C: Enhanced as a single-seat, all-weather air-superiority fighter version, a total of 483 units were manufactured between 1979 and 1985. 
• F15D: Two-seat training version, 92 units built together with F15C. 
• F-15J: Manufactured as a single-seat, all-weather air-superiority fighter version specifically for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, a total of 139 units were built from 1981 to 1997. 
• F-15E Strike Eagle: Developed as a two-seat, all-weather multirole strike version, equipped with additional fuel tanks. With over 500 F-15E and derivative variants manufactured since 1985, this model remains in active production. 

The United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel, Qatar, South Korea, and Singapore continue to operate various above-mentioned F-15 variants. 

Note: This list excludes prototypes and research/test aircraft.听

Specifications of F-15C听

General:听

Performance:听

Price听

At the start of 2021, the USAF took delivery of its first pair of F-15EX fighter-bombers, a procurement initiated in mid-2020. Each aircraft was priced at $80 million, representing a when compared to the F-35. 

As of today, the estimated unit cost of the F-15EX is around $117 million.听听

Future ahead for the F-15听听

Despite over 50 years of active service since its introduction, the F-15 remains an integral part of the USAF and allied forces globally. Its enduring legacy is set to continue with the introduction of the F-15EX Eagle II version. 

Enhancements for this comprise the (Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack) system that accommodates up to , infrared search and track capabilities, advanced avionics, electronic warfare equipment, an AESA radar (active electronically scanned array), and a modified structure designed for a service life of 20,000 hours. 

The F-15 Eagle is expected to be in service with the USAF at least with newer models being produced for foreign customers.听

F-16 Fighting Falcon: multi-role fighter aircraft and its history

• Aircraft
• Aviation History

byRosita Mickeviciute

2023-05-15

According to notices on the Taiwanese Government e-Procurement System published on January 3 and 4, 2024, two contracts, one worth NT$10 million and the other NT$396k, respectively, were awarded to the French aerospace manufacturer Safran and the European missile maker MBDA. 

The deals stipulate that Safran and MBDA will supply the necessary parts from January 2024 to December 2028 at Hsinchu Air Base, with the Taiwanese Air Force (ROCAF) identified as the competent agency overseeing the fulfillment of the order.  

Although the notice did not explicitly mention the Mirage 2000-5, Hsinchu Air Base hosts the 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the ROCAF, flying the French fighter.  

The procurement of engine parts will support the maintenance of the SNECMA M53-P2 engine, while the missile components will help maintain the inventory of MICA and R.550 Magic air-to-air missiles employed by the Mirage 2000-5s.听

The Mirage 2000-5, a crucial asset in Taiwan’s air defense strategy

Taiwan procured the Mirage 2000-5s from France in the 1990s. Accidents over time have reduced the initial fleet of 60 aircraft to the current count of 54. Despite their age, these fighters play a crucial role in Taiwan’s air defense strategy, safeguarding the northern airspace of the island nation. 

In recent years, the Taiwanese government has noted a substantial rise in air force operations, registering a 129% increase in 2020. This notable escalation is linked to the consistent and frequent incursions of Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan精东影业 Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). 

In June 2023, Taiwan engaged Dassault Aviation, the Mirage manufacturer, to assess the potential extension of the fighters’ service life. A budget of NT$150 million (approximately $4.77 million) was allocated for the evaluation, slated for completion by July 2026. 

The evaluation focuses on nine two-seater aircraft, exploring the potential extension of their operational capabilities by an additional 20 years. The emphasis on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of utilizing them for both training and operational missions.听

Taiwan to assess Dassault Mirage 2000 service life extension

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-08-01

The incident, which occurred on August 17, 2023, has been labeled a “dangerous military provocation” by Pyongyang according to a statement released by the official North Korean news agency KCNA.

Allegedly, an unspecified USAF observation aircraft entered the airspace above North Korea’s EEZ on three separate occasions between 5:38 a.m. and 6:37 a.m. local time.

While the aircraft did not violate North Korean airspace 鈥� which is defined as airspace over sovereign territory 鈥� it appears to have ventured into the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

An ADIZ is a unilaterally declared region of international airspace that serves as a buffer zone before sovereign airspace. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the swift identification and monitoring of all aircraft entering this designated space.

The General Staff Department of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) told the state news agency that it was considering 鈥渄eterrent measures to prevent future incursions.鈥� The US Department of Defense did not react to the report.

On July 10, 2023, North Korea精东影业 military had already issued a statement denouncing 鈥減rovocative鈥� flights of a US spy aircraft for eight consecutive days.

鈥淭he US will surely have to pay a dear price for its provocative air espionage,鈥� the statement then read.

North Korea warns of consequences for US spy planes violating its airspace

• Defense

byEmilia Stankeviciute

2023-07-10

The event occurred late on the night of August 13, 2023, extending into the early hours of August 14, 2023. NORAD did not specify the model of the tracked aircraft. 

NORAD, a collaborative organization between the United States of America and Canada, is responsible for safeguarding the airspace of both nations. It underscored that the Russian aircraft maintained their operations strictly within international airspace and did not breach the sovereign airspace of either the United States or Canada.  

鈥淭his Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,鈥� NORAD said in a press release. 

In May 2023, six Russian aircraft including SU-35 fighter jets, IL-78 tankers, and TU-95 bombers, were intercepted in the same ADIZ while Alaska精东影业 largest military drill of the year, Exercise Northern Edge 23, was ongoing. 

An ADIZ is a unilaterally declared region of international airspace that serves as a buffer zone before sovereign airspace. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the swift identification and monitoring of all aircraft entering this designated space. 

To monitor aircraft movements and respond if needed, NORAD utilizes a multi-layered defensive system comprising satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, as well as fighter jets. 

鈥淣ORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America,鈥� the command said. 

NORAD commander General Glen VanHerck recently said that the detection network of the command would be reinforced by over-the-horizon radars (OTH) after the Chinese spy balloon incident in late January 2023 raised important concerns about the ability of the United States to detect airborne threats.  

Chinese spy balloon exposed weaknesses in North American airspace surveillance

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-07-21

The island country acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in 1992, among which were 48 single-seat interceptors and 12 twin-seat trainers.  

The aircraft entered service with the ROCAF in 1997 and since then, it has represented an important component of the island精东影业 airspace sovereignty defense. However, they are now entering a later stage of their life cycle, leading to higher maintenance and repair costs compared to other ROCAF aircraft. 

Over its 26 years of service, the Mirage 2000 fleet has encountered six crashes, leading to the loss of five pilots. This 10% attrition rate for a single-engine aircraft fleet over such a lengthy period is commendable, particularly considering the high level of engagement faced by Taiwanese fighters.  

The Taiwan government has reported a significant increase in its air force activity, with a 129% jump in 2020. This surge in activity is primarily attributed to the repeated and regular intrusions of Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Yet the most recent crash, which took place on March 14, 2022, triggered a public debate in the country about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and increasing operating costs due to the low availability of parts.  

In a briefing held on June 13, 2023, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan精东影业 military, affirmed that the Mirage 2000 fleet met the 鈥榓vailability鈥� or 鈥榤ission capable鈥� standards issued by the ministry, dismissing rumors of decommissioning.  

To evaluate the possibility of extending the service life of the fighters, Taiwan has enlisted the help of their manufacturer, the French company Dassault Aviation. A budget of NT$150 million (approximately US$4.77 million) was earmarked for the evaluation, scheduled to be completed by July 2026.  

Nine two-seater aircraft are being evaluated for potential service life extension, with the aim of extending their operational capabilities by another 20 years. The decision to focus on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of utilizing them for both training purposes and operational missions, according to . 

That fleet would act as a stopgap solution while Taiwan is awaiting the deliveries of 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, ordered In August 2020, to begin. The delivery of the first fighter was expected in 2023. However, due to supply chain disruptions and software problems, it was postponed to late 2024. Full delivery is still slated for 2026. 

Read more: Taiwan Mirage 2000 fighters remain operational despite concerns: ROCAF 

24 Chinese aircraft, including J-10, J-11, J-16, and SU-30 fighter jets and H-6 bombers, were detected by Taiwan on July 4, 2023.  

The country精东影业 Ministry of National Defense stated that a joint combat patrol was also conducted by four vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the region. 

In response, Taiwan deployed the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system to monitor the situation, as well as naval vessels, and land-based missile systems. 

The incident took place during a visit to Taiwan by US House representatives and members of the Republican Study Committee (). The country, which China claims as its territory, stated that it welcomes two to three foreign delegations each week. 

鈥淧artly it精东影业 to combat disinformation, there is this image going around that Taiwan is one of the most dangerous places on Earth,鈥� the Taiwanese defense ministry said during a press briefing, as reported by the state-owned television channel TaiwanPlius.  

鈥淏y inviting people here, to see Taiwan for itself, how its democracy functions, how it is dealing with intimidation from China I hope people can see Taiwan is still a good place to do business with,鈥� the ministry added.  

China has stepped up its military actives around Taiwan in recent months, entering Taiwan精东影业 ADIZ on several occasions. On June 30, 2023, 11 Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while China精东影业 newest warship, Shandong, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 21.  

On April 8, 2023, more than 70 Chinese planes and nine ships crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and conducted three-day military drills around the island. 

Despite regular Chinese military activity in the vicinity, Taiwan maintains that daily life in the country has continued as usual.  

China launches satellite, rocket debris falls near Taiwan

• Space

byClement Charpentreau

2023-04-17

Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had dispatched “appropriate forces” to monitor the Chinese activities鈥嬧�� in the strait which separates the self-ruled island of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. 

This move by China coincided with a visit from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Beijing to ease tensions between the two superpowers. 

The day before the incident, Blinken declared he had 鈥渞aised US concerns 鈥� shared by a growing number of countries 鈥� about the PRC精东影业 provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait, as well as in the South and East China Seas鈥� in meetings with China精东影业 officials. 

Over the years, the People精东影业 Liberation Army Navy and Air Force have regularly entered Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and have conducted air drills on at least three separate occasions (in 2013, 2016, and 2017).

Moreover, their newest warship Shandong was deployed to simulate strikes around the island in April 2023 following the Taiwanese President’s visit to the US and later sailed through the Taiwan Strait in May.

Launched in 2017, the Shandong is China’s first domestically constructed aircraft carrier, primarily based on the design of its predecessor, the Soviet-built aircraft carrier Liaoning. 

Similar to Liaoning, Shandong uses the simpler “Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery” (STOBAR) launch and recovery system. The warship also retains the ski-jump takeoff, limiting its air wing to helicopters and Shenyang J-15 fighter jets of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force. 

Despite the Shandong being a more advanced aircraft carrier, there were no reports of it conducting flight operations during its transits, which would have signified a more aggressive attempt to test Taiwan精东影业 air defenses. 

US approves the production of fighter jet engines in India, reports suggest

• Defense

byEmilia Stankeviciute

2023-06-20

In a briefing held on June 13, 2023, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan精东影业 military, affirmed that the Mirage 2000 fleet met the 鈥榓vailability鈥� or 鈥榤ission capable鈥� standards issued by the ministry. 

Taiwan acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in 1992. The Mirage 2000-5 is an air superiority variant of the fighter. The aircraft entered service with the ROCAF in 1997 and since then, it has represented an important component of the island精东影业 airspace sovereignty defense. 

In its 26 years of service, the fleet has registered six crashes resulting in complete loss of the aircraft, causing the death of five pilots in total.  

It is worth highlighting that achieving a 10% attrition rate over a span of 26 years for a single-engine aircraft fleet represents a commendable ratio, especially given the intense level of engagement of Taiwanese fighters. The Taiwan government said that its air force activity had jumped 129% in 2020, due to the repeated and regular intrusions of Chinese military planes into the country精东影业 air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Yet the most recent crash, which took place on March 14, 2022, triggered a debate in the country about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and increasing operating costs due to the low availability of parts. 

Sun Li-fang dismissed the rumors of decommissioning, saying that the 鈥榓vailability鈥� of the Mirage 2000 is not a serious problem, and the current situation can be effectively dealt with, as quoted by Taiwan精东影业 Central News Agency (CNA). 

Japan scrambles fighters to intercept China’s new Y-9DZ spy plane near Taiwan

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-06-09

Russian planes were operating in international airspace near Alaska at the same time as US troops held large-scale military exercises in the state. 

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) statement released on May 14, 2023, specified that the incident was 鈥渞outine鈥� as such Russian activity in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) occurs regularly.   

鈥淪ince 2007 NORAD has seen a yearly average of approximately six to seven intercepts of Russian military aircraft in the ADIZ,鈥� the release added. 鈥淭hese numbers have varied each year from as high as 15 to as low as zero.鈥� 

The Russian warplanes were escorted by the USAF F-16 and F-22 fighter jets, supported by KC-135 Stratotankers and E-3 AWACS, as they passed through the international airspace. 

The interception occurred while Alaska精东影业 biggest military operation of the year, Exercise Northern Edge 23 is ongoing, involving five warships and over 150 aircraft. The exercise led by the US Indo-Pacific Command also includes service members from the UK and Australia. 

Nevertheless, the interaction is not seen as a threat. Addressing the concerns in a press briefing on May 15, 2023, Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder confirmed that the US 鈥渞esponded appropriately鈥� and that the flight 鈥減robably won鈥檛 be the last.鈥� 

Though the Russian flight is not considered out of the ordinary, NORAD stated it is ready to respond if necessary. 

鈥淲e remain ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and Arctic sovereignty.鈥� 

NORAD is a bi-national organization in charge of defending the airspaces of the United States of America and Canada. USAF fighters had previously intercepted two Russian warplanes near the ADIZ in April 2023 and on consecutive days in February 2023.听

Intentional or not? USAF accuses Russian fighter of bringing down Reaper drone

• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

2023-03-15