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Air Force confirms budget for T-34 trainer replacement, expected in FY2027
🇭🇺 Hungary /Economy & Trade

Air Force confirms budget for T-34 trainer replacement, expected in FY2027

From Magyar Nemzet · () Hungarian

Translated from Hungarian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Taiwan's Air Force plans to budget for a replacement trainer aircraft starting in fiscal year 2027.
  • The current T-34 trainer aircraft, acquired in 1985, has experienced 12 accidents, with two occurring recently.
  • The Ministry of National Defense is evaluating options for acquiring the new aircraft, with a decision expected by May 2026.

Taiwan's Air Force is set to incorporate a budget for a new trainer aircraft, with plans to allocate funds starting in fiscal year 2027. This move comes as the service seeks to replace its aging T-34 primary trainer planes, which have been in service since 1985.

The T-34 has not reached its service life limit.

— Chiu Kuo-chengMinister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng stated that the current trainer aircraft are not yet at the end of their operational lifespan.

Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng announced that the Air Force aims to complete the procurement case for the new aircraft by the end of May 2025. The defense ministry will then include the acquisition in the budget proposal for fiscal year 2027. The current T-34 fleet has a history of incidents, with 12 aircraft having been damaged or destroyed since 1985, including two recent crashes.

The Ministry of National Defense plans to complete the case building process by May 31, 116 [2027], and the Air Force will plan the most appropriate procurement method with professionalism.

— Chiu Kuo-chengMinister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng outlined the timeline for planning the acquisition of new trainer aircraft.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about the T-34's maintenance and airworthiness, especially since its original manufacturer has gone bankrupt and ceased production of key parts. Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan assured that the T-34 is still in use by four other countries and the U.S. Navy, and that all parts and maintenance are manageable. He emphasized that safety remains the Air Force's top priority, and any components affecting safety will be replaced.

The Ministry of National Defense will include this case in the 117th fiscal year budget, which will be proposed by the end of August next year, and relevant procurement operations will begin.

— Chiu Kuo-chengMinister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng detailed when the budget for the new aircraft would be submitted and procurement would commence.

The Air Force is also enhancing pilot training protocols, focusing on emergency procedures and crew resource management for dual-seat aircraft. The selection process for the replacement aircraft, whether through foreign purchase or domestic production, is being handled by the Air Force based on professional assessment, with a decision expected by May 31, 2025.

The Ministry of National Defense asks the Air Force to proceed with professional evaluation.

— Chiu Kuo-chengMinister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng indicated that the Air Force would lead the professional assessment for the new aircraft acquisition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Magyar Nemzet in Hungarian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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