I believe that is Samoa's flag, but thank you so much for the thought!

Don't forget the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo multirole fighter that has been in Taiwan's inventory since the 1990's.

Yes, Taiwan is developing a very large and modern air force relative to its size, which is great. Its air bases and runways are likely to be destroyed early in any conflict with mainland China, so Taiwan will have to utilize highways and dispersed roads to sustain combat operations.

@@josephwang267 Before a war breaks out, the Taiwanese Air Force will evacuate in three parts. The main part will first fly to mountain cave bases in the eastern mountains of Taiwan. The aircraft can accelerate on the runway inside the cave and take off immediately after exiting the cave. The second part will fly directly to U.S. military bases in the Philippines to wait for a counterattack. The third part will fly directly to U.S. military bases in southern Japan to wait for a counterattack.

​@@josephwang267.Can the Taiwan Airforce fight more then 7 days ??? Break a blockadge if Taiwan Island ??? I DUN THINK SO....😢

@@taorente7438 now everyone knows

It's a beaut! Too bad the USAF had limited roles for the F-5 and they went with the F-16 instead as its primary multi-role fighter (though the F16 didn't start out as such), back in the late 70s. The F-20 Tigershark would've been a great alternative for Taiwan in the early 90s when they were out shopping for a new flying toy.

It's a lovely looking aircraft.

I don't think that you understand how the F-5s were used in Taiwan. They weren't their tactical jets, JUST TRAINERS. Which they replacing with that T-5 "Brave Eagle". Taiwan ALREADY flies 4th gen fighters from France (Mirage 2000-5) and USA (F-16 A/B), the ONE wing with F-5E/F was mostly a training wing. In Brazil, the Gripen replaced front line fighters, NOT trainers. As far as Brazil goes, it had Mirage IIIs, then got some TWELVE Mirage 2000s (older gen) IN 2005, and just got Gripen E/F models in the last few years. BUT it STILL uses F-5 IIs as tac air trainers.

totally! It requires little re-training for pilots already familiar with F5s and ground crew since they're basically the same plane. It'll outmaneuver any planes the PLAAF has in its fleet and easy and cheap maintenance.

Korean FA-50 is more similar to F-20. FA-50 is powered by F-404 turbofan engine like F-20. However, FA-50 is basically derived from F-16 and controlled by fly-by-wire. In addition, FA-50 is now being upgraded to be equipped with AESA radar and ARMRAM or metier missile

Yes

Taiwan pays just less than a billion per jet so it can afford F-35's.

Ukraine definetly could.

You mean like the F-20 Tigershark?

@@aj-2savage896Well, that F-20 prototype is >40 years old. Maybe swap out the VIC-20 for modern computers, electronics & sensors, same for any other systems that could use an update: ordnance, propulsion, etc. But the light airframe still makes sense in many cases.

Best bet is to get old planes from countries that are phasing out models for the F-35 ie Japan has 125 F-35 on order. Probably will phase out some of their older F-15s. Even Korea's new jet prototype is projected to cost around $60M which is similar to the F-16 cost.

As an American, this is what I want to see from our allies. They shouldn’t need to rely on America to provide their weapons. I want to see them build up their forces not for the sake of waging war, but to protect their country and most importantly, their people.

​​@@shoneboot3128in the case of taiwan, we screwd the Taiwanese for not selling more advanced weapons sooner ever since we relinquished official diplomatic ties. In the late 80s Taiwan asked for F-16s, we said no, because China threw a temper tantrum. So they ended up developing their own fighter program AKA the F-ck-1 (don't laugh, because I did when I first saw this name designation). Since Taiwan don't have a military industrial complex, they were only able to put a small number of these fighters into service. So Taiwan went shopping around again, asking us if we can "Finally" sell them F-16s, we said no again, because that overgrown toddler across that pond crybullied us again, Taiwan ended up going to France to acquire Mirage 2000s. Finally realizing that we're not the only game in town and lost a great opportunityto cash in, and Taiwan was hand over fist of $$$ to pay more than the market price for F-16s, we finally sold our old early 80s dilapidated models when our own new birds in service were by that point 20 years and many upgrades better, again due to China's bitching but we had to tell them that the super old Taiwan version of F-16s are no match to their Frontline fighters. What I'm getting at here is that the current state of unpreparedness if Taiwan's defense capabilities is very much our fault, esp. now that Washington is afraid of a direct clash with the Chinese and may not come to Taiwan's Aid..

​@@shoneboot3128Look up every US ally's own weapons programs as you'll find that our ally's our perfectly capable of developing their own stuff that are highly capable platforms yet they would be cancelled due to the US lobbying allied countries politicians in buying American

Sounds like a waste. They might need them as fighters soon.

@@MrJord1994 they already have FCK-1 light fighters they don't need this ancient f5. They will benefit more buying more FCK-1 than spending high maintenance on old fighter

Reclaim the mainland!

The trainer is a re-badge, slightly modified version of their home-grown and developed fighter, The F-Ck-1 (no I didn't just swear 🤫). That plane was developed with assistance from General Dynamics and Lockheed and was based on the F-16 and the F-18.

They are more than trainers.

They look like they are derived from the F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo, which is a fighter, but I don't think a lot of them exist

@@GEOsustainable We are allies. We will fight side my side in the end times.

NATO compliance is my only concern.@@alanr4845

Merlin: "goddammit this bogeys all over me!😬" Goose: "break right, break right!" 😝

We already decommissioned our F-5 few years ago when horizon 2 started

Says who? Why will the Philippines accept junk F-5s from Taiwan? Taiwan is still tsinese and tsinese attitude still sucks. Tsinese is tsinese regardless if your from the rogue motherland or breakaway island and tsinese Taiwan. Same blood. A bunch of liars and cheaters

I hope so. We really need airpower rn.

lol PAF won't be interested. Even if they give it for free we will still spend on training, spare parts, refurbishment, and transfer. It is a waste to spend money on way too old fighter, if we want old fighter better go for mirage or f16

Go ask for it from your master gringo.

those private air services want their dod contracts

The idea was maintaining the balance of Mainland China and Taiwan, China might look stronger right now

They are probably concerned about espionage.

@@eastsideazskelad3093 That is your opinion. The development production has been pretty smooth. People forget that there are three different versions of this fifth generation Stealth fighter. There are also 10 different countries that are part of its supply chain, which had to be modified when Turkey was removed. It also had to meet the requirements of the 17 different countries purchasing the planes.

@@eastsideazskelad3093 Taiwan has F-16V fleet but still need stealth fighter for special mission.

​@@chillxxx241exactly this! Too many traitors working within the Taiwanese Military. Military personnel are almost always KMT supporters and their love for the "motherland " China, and plus the reward $$$$$$$$ for handing over classified intelligence to Red China is quite rampant thrre. Sad but true.

Remember what mom says about potty mouth? Gentlemen don't use profanities 😂

Yeah, it's been around for decades already... But, whatever efforts they make to improve their air force is welcome.

Is there a U variant?

@@Two-Checks F you CK-1

That better not be the real plan Taiwan is doomed if that is the case

@@jonathanwilliams1065 you tell this to US and Japan, human ore!

@@taorente7438 both countries officially recognize the communists and don’t recognize Taiwan If all out war occurs there’s a good chance they will stay out of it The American people in particular are tired of war and the media is heavily sympathetic to communists

@@jonathanwilliams1065 According to Taiwan's "2023 National Defense Report", if the intrusion of the Communist army turns into a military operation, Taiwan's defense strategy is to preemptively strike against the mobilizing invasion force, and then use its geographical advantages to counterattack at the most vulnerable stage when the enemy crosses the strait.