Mirage Fighter Jet Crash in Taiwan Highlights Ongoing Air Force Challenges

A Mirage fighter jet of Taiwan's air force crashed off the island's northwest coast during nighttime exercises. The pilot ejected safely, and search efforts are ongoing. This incident adds to a series of recent crashes involving Taiwan's air force, which operates both French-built Mirage and U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets.

A Taiwan air force Mirage fighter jet crashed off the island's northwest coast on Tuesday night, prompting an immediate search for the pilot who successfully ejected, according to the defence ministry and the official Central News Agency.

The defence ministry reported that the French-built Mirage was engaged in nighttime exercises when it suffered a suspected loss of power, leading to the pilot's bailout.

The crash site was identified as the sea off Hsinchu, a city on Taiwan's northwest coast that hosts a major air base. Search and rescue operations continue, the ministry stated.

Taiwan's air force has experienced several crashes in recent years, including a 2022 incident that led to grounding the Mirage fleet. Since receiving the first of its 60 Mirage 2000 jets in 1997, Taiwan has lost at least seven in accidents. Though well-trained, Taiwan's air force frequently deals with Chinese military aircraft flying near the island but these incidents have not been connected to the crashes.

(With inputs from agencies.)