Taipei: Taiwan’s Air Force is set to officially retire its F-5 series jets on July 4 at Hualien Air Base, as announced by Defense Minister Wellington Koo. The F-5 jets, which have been a cornerstone of Taiwan’s air defense, will have a commemorative video produced for the public to “witness the glory” of their retirement ceremony.

According to Focus Taiwan, the announcement was made during Koo’s attendance at a Legislative Yuan Foreign and National Defense Committee meeting, where he briefed lawmakers on the Air-Sea Combat Power Improvement Plan. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu highlighted the role of the F-5 jets in defending Taiwan’s airspace.

The Republic of China Air Force began operating F-5A/B fighter jets in 1965. In 1973, Taiwan collaborated with Northrop Corp. to produce the F-5E model domestically, under the Tiger Peace Project. The first Taiwan-built F-5E was introduced in 1974, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan’s aviation history.

Under the Tiger Peace Project, Taiwan manufactured a total of 308 jets, comprising 242 single-seat F-5Es and 66 twin-seat F-5Fs. The F-5 served as Taiwan’s primary combat aircraft from the 1970s through the 1990s before transitioning to a training role.

The F-5E/F jets concluded their training roles as the Air Force received Brave Eagle jet trainers developed through Taiwan’s indigenous aircraft program. The F-5s were removed from combat standby duties at the end of last year, with only a few F-5F aircraft remaining active to support RF-5E reconnaissance operations at Hualien.