The Brave Eagle Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is one of only seven fifth-generation advanced jet trainers currently in service or under development worldwide. The Republic of China Air Force plans to use the AJT to replace the AT-3 advanced trainer, which has been in service since 1984, as well as the F-5E/F fighters used for training missions.
The Brave Eagle AJT marks the launch of the government’s “Domestic Aircraft Development Program” and serves as a key milestone in revitalizing Taiwan’s defense industry. Since its official initiation in February 2017, AIDC has fully committed to the three major objectives set by the President at the signing ceremony between the Ministry of National Defense and ROC Air Force: self-reliant manufacturing of the advanced trainer, cultivation of domestic aerospace talent, and strengthening of the national industrial supply chain. AIDC successfully completed the maiden flight of the first prototype in June 2020, accomplishing the development within just three years.
Upon receiving the mandate, AIDC immediately began comprehensive preparations—not only to meet the timeline and performance requirements, but also to cultivate skilled domestic talent and stimulate Taiwan's internal economy through the development of its defense industry.
During the conceptual design phase, several configurations were considered for the Brave Eagle, but ultimately, a redesigned version based on the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) was selected as the optimal solution. This decision shortened pilot training timelines and reduced maintenance and logistics costs. The high level of parts commonality and shared logistics infrastructure also addressed issues such as obsolescence and supply continuity. Moreover, the project reflects the government's commitment to the "Domestic Aircraft Development Program," strengthening Taiwan’s aerospace supply chain and enhancing its systems integration capabilities. From raw materials and equipment to manufacturing, this effort has created a connected industry ecosystem that boosts domestic aerospace development and has generated nearly NT$10 billion in local economic benefits.
The Brave Eagle AJT was entirely developed by Taiwan, from exterior design analysis, wind tunnel testing, blueprint drafting, structural testing, ground integration testing, and flight test validation to the development of some system components, production, assembly, ground-based training systems, and the full logistics support system. AIDC independently developed the flight control and avionics software, writing more than one million lines of code in-house, with a domestic content ratio reaching 55%.
The Brave Eagle project also represents a new digital milestone for AIDC. By applying innovative technologies such as cyber-physical integration and digital twin modeling, the development and production timeline was dramatically reduced compared to the 10 years it took to develop the Indigenous Defense Fighter 30 years ago. The AJT was completed in just over three years. AIDC employed a fully integrated digital platform throughout all production stages—from initial R&D and analysis to manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance—operating in a collaborative environment. Validation and tuning were conducted within a unified simulation environment, enabling quick problem identification and resolution, significantly shortening lead time. The Brave Eagle’s rapid rollout in just three years was made possible through this advanced digital production model.
