AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, The fatal crash of a Taiwanese air force F-5F has sparked concern about the safety of the aging jets and calls for the island to purchase advanced F-16 aircraft from the United States.
The twin-seat fighter/trainer crashed into a field in the southern county of Chiayi June 17, killing one officer and leaving another critically injured, the defense ministry said.
While the cause of the accident was not immediately clear, legislators have called for the purchase of dozens of U.S.-made F-16 C/D Block 50 fighters to replace the F-5 fleet which have been in service for three decades.
In addition to some 60 F-5 Tigers, Taiwan
