The approval was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 18, 2024. The potential transfer includes 291 Altius 600M-V unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) loitering munitions and 720 Switchblade 300 attack drones, with a combined value of $360.2 million.  

The Altius 600M-V is a loitering munition developed by Anduril Industries. It is designed for extended endurance and precision strike capabilities, making it effective in surveillance and attacking stationary and moving targets.聽

The Switchblade 300, produced by AeroVironment, is a tube-launched, expendable loitering munition. Compact, it is designed for rapid deployment and can be used for reconnaissance as well as precision strike missions against enemy personnel and light-armored targets. 

According to the DSCA, this sale, specifically requested by Taiwanese authorities, is intended to 鈥渉elp improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.鈥�  

The Taiwan Presidency welcomed the announcement in a statement and thanked the US government for 鈥渃ontinuing to strengthen the Taiwan-U.S. partnership and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability,鈥� Taiwan Presidency spokesperson Karen Kuo said. 

China strongly condemned the sales to Taiwan and urged the Biden administration to “revoke its erroneous decision,” according to a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson speaking to China精东影业 Xinhua state news agency. 

Countering China精东影业 military mass with expendable drones 

Deployed in substantial quantities, these expandable systems would enable Taiwan to deter a Chinese invasion by saturating advancing forces and damaging or destroying costly equipment such as landing craft, warships, and ground-based launch systems. 

In November 2020, during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan prominently utilized Israel-manufactured loitering munitions, effectively destroying 59 Armenian vehicles, including trucks, artillery units, and tanks.  

The subsequent invasion of Ukraine by Russia confirmed the essential role of attritable systems in modern warfare. One-way attack drones proved effective in countering Russian military advances, while compact systems at the infantry level demonstrated their operational effectiveness, providing real-time reconnaissance and extending soldiers’ operational reach. 

The United States has included Altius and Switchblade drones in several of its aid packages for Kyiv. 

In August 2023, the US Department of Defense introduced the Replicator initiative to counter China精东影业 鈥渕ass鈥� and military expansion in the Indo-Pacific by using expendable drones. 

US military hopes to counter China’s military mass with expendable drones

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-08-29

Flight BR 08 departed TPE Airport and was just three hours into the 11-hour flight when the fight began.

EVA Air told local Taiwanese media the commotion began when a passenger decided to switch seats because the person next to him was coughing. According to the airline, the man found an empty seat and settled in it. However, the original occupant of the seat returned several minutes later – and that精东影业 when the confrontation began.

Video footage of the brawl was posted by A Fly Guy精东影业 Cabin Crew Lounge, a Facebook page with over a million followers from the aviation industry.

The clip showed the two men exchanging punches while a female flight attendant placed herself between the pair to de-escalate the situation. Two other flight attendants can be seen holding back one of the men, while fellow passengers stepped in to restrain the other man.

Flight attendants then placed the men in separate areas of the aircraft for the remainder of the flight. 

The men were handed over to airport police when the flight arrived at SFO. 

EVA Air also said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards 鈥減assenger nuisance鈥� incidents and praised its staff for the quick intervention.聽

Video captures moment aggressive passenger punches cop when escorted off flight

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-12-19

According to the United States (US) Geological Survey the earthquake struck just before 08:00 local time on April 4, 2024, around 18 kilometers (11.1 miles) south-southwest of Hualien on the east coast of the island and was about 35 kilometers (21 miles) deep. 

In response to the earthquake Tsunami warnings were triggered in Japan and the Philippines but have since been removed.  

Among those who sadly lost their lives were three people that were killed by falling rocks, according to local news reports.  

The moment the earthquake struck was captured on film by a person at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).聽聽

Taipei Taiwan 7.5 Earthquake at Taoyuan Airport Lord Jesus鈥� Grace 馃檹馃徑馃

— jacob (@jaycub05)

In the footage taken in a terminal building, passengers were forced to duck for cover as the entire area shook under the force of the earthquake.  

It was also reported by local media that the Taoyuan Airport suffered structural damage with parts of the ceiling falling to the ground. 

7.5 Magnitude Earthquake hits Taiwan, Aftermath video footage shows damaged part of Taoyuan International Airport sustained by the shocks.
The quake is the highest in 25years on the Richter scale hitting almost 7.5 magnitude.
Lots of damages are reported in other parts of鈥�

— Dco Global News (@Dcoglobalnews)

According to , the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation set up an emergency response center to assist passengers following the earthquake.聽聽

The publication added that two Taiwanese nationals and one Vietnamese traveler were hit by falling debris but continued with their journeys. 

Taiwan精东影业 earthquake monitoring agency said the earthquake measure a magnitude of 7.2 while the US Geological Survey placed it at 7.4. on the Richter scale.  

The earthquake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years.

How air travel in the region was affected  

Naha Airport (OKA) in Okinawa, Japan, was temporarily closed due to the Tsunami warning while many airlines proceeded to cancel flights to Taiwan in the immediate aftermath.  

Japan Airlines (JAL) warned customers that some flights may be affected by the earthquake while All Nippon Airways (ANA) said flights from OKA, Miyako Airport (MMY) and Painushima Ishigaki Airport (ISG) had been disrupted.  

In its latest update on social media, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation said that operations had returned to normal but that passengers should allow extra time to travel. 

Korean Air finalizes A350 order in 鈥榤ajor endorsement鈥� for Airbus鈥� widebody jet聽

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-04-02

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.聽

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

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.聽

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.聽

Taiwan to assess Dassault Mirage 2000 service life extension

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-08-01

EVA Air was reportedly weighing up aircraft made by both Airbus and Boeing before finally deciding on the A350 and A321neo.聽

News of the deal first came to light in November 2023, after the $10.1 billion deal was confirmed in a filing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. 

鈥淪o excited that #EVAAir has chosen the #A350-1000, our #LongRangeLeader, to modernize its long-haul fleet. Adding to this news, the airline has also announced that it will order the #A321neo for its regional routes,鈥� Airbus wrote on November 7, 2023, in a social media post.聽聽

So excited that has chosen the -1000, our , to modernise its long-haul fleet. 鉁堬笍
Adding to this news, the airline has also announced that it will order the for its regional routes! 馃檶

— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS)

The order with Airbus is a coup for the planemaker with EVA Air精东影业 current long-haul fleet including 32 active Boeing 777-300ERs.   

鈥淲e have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel-efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also bring significant reductions in carbon emissions, which is in line with our company精东影业 sustainability goals,鈥� Clay Sun, President of EVA Air, said. 

Sun added: 鈥淔or long-range operations the A350-1000 sets new standards in its class and will allow us to offer our passengers the best possible in-flight experience.鈥� 

The purchase also includes 15 A321neos, the longest member of Airbus鈥� renowned A320 family aircraft, which will be used for regional operations.   

鈥淭his order marks a new phase in our relationship with EVA Air and we thank the airline for its confidence in Airbus. In the long-range market, it精东影业 another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category,鈥� Beno卯t de Saint-Exup茅ry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, said. 鈥淲e also thank EVA for reaffirming its commitment to the latest generation Airbus single aisle family with its first direct purchase of the A321neo and we look forward to working closely with the airline as it prepares for its new Airbus fleet.鈥� 

The A350 is available in two sizes, with the A350-900 typically seating up to 350 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and the larger A350-1000 seating up to 410 passengers.   

The A350 family has won more than 1,000 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 570 aircraft currently in the fleets of 39 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes. 

In March 2023, EVA Air purchased five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.聽 聽聽

Capital A to merge Air Asia X with remaining Air Asia airlines聽聽

• Airlines
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byMiquel Ros

2024-01-08

According to , the audacious plan would have seen the lieutenant colonel fly the Chinook aircraft carrier during a military drill near the island.聽

Details surrounding the plot were revealed in a Taiwan court on December 11, 2023.  

Taiwan High Court Prosecutors Office said in an indictment that the pilot, identified by his surname Hsieh, was approached by Chinese spies in June 2023.  

The indictment said that Hsieh, was told to fly the 鈥�helicopter at low altitude along the coastline to the Chinese Communist carrier which would be staging drills close to the waters 24 nautical miles鈥�.聽

While Hsieh initially rejected the plan as too risky, the indictment said that the offer of $15 million and a deposit of $1 million if he accepted helped persuade him to say yes.  

As part of the agreement Hsieh was told his family could get Thai visas if the plan was carried out.  

Hsieh would also receive a salary of $6,355 a month and the $15 million would come from the sale of the helicopter. 

According to prosecutors the plot was foiled after a tip off and Hsieh and a retired Taiwanese army officer, who helped facilitate communication, were arrested.  

The tip off 鈥減revented the US-made aircraft from falling into the hands of the communist force,鈥� the indictment said. 

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng was questioned on December 11, 2023, over the security breech.  

鈥淚 feel pained too, to have discovered a case like this and those allegedly involved must be dealt with according to the law,鈥� Chiu Kuo-Cheng said.聽

Taiwan Brave Eagle jet trainer to replace aging AT-3 and F-5 jets by 2024

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-11-07

According to , the $10.1 billion deal was confirmed in a filing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange on November 7, 2023.聽聽

Planemaker Airbus celebrated the announcement with a post on X (formally known as Twitter).  

鈥淪o excited that #EVAAir has chosen the #A350-1000, our #LongRangeLeader, to modernize its long-haul fleet. Adding to this news, the airline has also announced that it will order the #A321neo for its regional routes,鈥� Airbus wrote.  

The Airbus A350-1000 can accommodate between 350 to 410 passengers and is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofans. 

The A350精东影业 airframe is built with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and other advanced materials and can travel ultra-long-range operations up to 8,700 nautical miles. 

As confirmed by Airbus, the new A350-1000 will modernize EVA Air精东影业 long-haul fleet and eventually replace its older aircraft.聽聽

The order with Airbus is a coup for the planemaker with EVA Air精东影业 current long-haul fleet including 32 active Boeing 777-300ERs. 

The purchase also includes 15 A321neos, the longest member of Airbus鈥� renowned A320 family aircraft, which will be used for regional operations. 

In March 2023, EVA Air purchased five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.聽聽

US Senate Committee to 鈥榚xamine serious close calls鈥� to prevent 鈥榗atastrophe鈥�

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2023-11-07

The F-5 fighter jets will retire from combat duty by the end of 2023, first reported, quoting a military source. 

However, the current fleet of RF-5E Tigereye jets, a reconnaissance version of the aircraft, will continue their surveillance missions until the Taiwanese Air Force (ROCAF) receives MS-110 reconnaissance pods. Manufactured by Collins Aerospace, these pods can be installed on the ROCAF F-16 fighters or its future MQ-9B drones. 

The AIDC AT-3, also known as the Brave Eagle, is a Taiwanese advanced trainer aircraft domestically designed and manufactured by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) to serve as a primary training platform for the ROCAF. As an advanced jet trainer, it will prepare military pilots for high-performance fighter jets.  

The first prototype successfully conducted its maiden flight in June 2020. Since then, AIDC has been steadily delivering these advanced trainers to the ROCAF, which plans to acquire up to 66 aircraft.  

Taiwan shows off Brave Eagle jet trainer in display at Chihhang base

• Defense

byVictoria Bryan

2022-07-07

In line with the introduction of the Brave Eagle and the retirement of the older aircraft, Taiwan has streamlined its flight training program from three different aircraft, the T-34, the AT-3, and the F-5, to only two, the T-34 and the Brave Eagle. Some F-5 jets may still be transferred to training units to serve in other roles such as target drones or aggressors. Others will be used as decoys near Taiwanese military runways. 

The sanctions will be imposed under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said during a routine press briefing on September 15, 2023.聽

“In disregard of China精东影业 firm opposition, the US government deliberately supplies weapons to China精东影业 Taiwan region,” Ning said. “We call on the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqu茅s, stop arms sales to Taiwan, stop military collusion with Taiwan, and stop arming Taiwan, otherwise it will be met with China精东影业 resolute response.”

China accuses Northrop Grumman of having participated in the sale of weapons to Taiwan – which China claims as its territory – 鈥榤any times鈥�, while Lockheed Martin was named as the prime contractor of the latest deal Taipei reached with the US, which was confirmed on August 24, 2023.聽The extent and consequences of these sanctions is unclear, given that neither company currently sells to China.聽

Lockheed Martin has supplied Taiwan精东影业 military with numerous products ranging from the F-104 Starfighter to the F-16A/B MLU Block 20 Fighting Falcon jet, radars, helicopters, and related equipment over the years. It also contributes to the island’s own fighter jet development.聽聽As a consequence, China had already imposed on Lockheed Martin.

With the help of military equipment from the US, Taiwan has already converted 141 F-16A/B jets into F-16Vs and ordered 66 additional F-16Vs with new radar, vastly updated weaponry and avionics, to better compete with China精东影业 Air Force, particularly its J-20 stealth fighters.聽

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider strategic bomber begins engine runs

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-09-13