Taiwanese rescuers have found the wreckage of an F-16V aircraft which crashed into the ocean just a few days earlier it, less than two months following the launch of the first squadron of the most modernized fighters.
The plane disappeared from radar screens about 30 minutes after it took off for a routine exercise at its home base located in southwest Taiwan in Taiwan on the Tuesday.
The Air Force said that the jet sank into sea without a trace of the pilot, who was 28 years old, extricating in the moment.
The national rescue centre stated that fuselage wreckage was discovered however there was no trace of the pilot in the aftermath of an all-night search that involved multiple vessels, helicopters, coastguards and more than 60 officials.
The incident has brought a smack to Taiwan’s new F-16Vs from the United States that was put into service in November, as Taiwan updated its fleet amid increasing tensions between Taiwan and China.
The Air Force has temporarily shut down the all F16 vehicles.
Beijing declares self-ruled Taiwan as a part of its territory. It has pledged to take it back one day, with force if needed.
Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has increased diplomatic, economic as well as military pressure against Taiwan.
The Taiwanese airforce has experienced several fatal crashes in recent years , as it is constantly under pressure from China that has stepped up the number of incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone since the year 2020.
In the year 2000, Taiwan recorded 969 incursions by Chinese warplanes within the air defence zone according to a report compiled by AFP more than twice the 380 incursions that were carried out in 2020.
Bob is a Digital Entrepreneur and keen follower of the Crypto and Blockchain world. He enjoys exploring the latest technology and news related to Fintech world. He is a go-to person with a positive attitude towards life.
