Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise.

Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-talks-up-trans-pacific-trade-pact-after-exclusion-from-new-deal-343518">Taiwan talks up trans-Pacific trade pact after exclusion from new deal</a>

This decision, which was announced by the local authorities on Wednesday, has now put more pressure on the limited fleet of the country to warn off the Chinese jets which have increased their activity in the recent few months.

The F16 fighter jet that went missing by being commanded by a 44-year-old pilot. It disappeared from the radar on Tuesday night at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 metres). The jet disappeared merely two minutes after taking off&nbsp;from Hualien air base in eastern Taiwan on the same day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asian-nations-sign-rcep-a-china-backed-trade-pact-excluding-india-and-us-343226" hreflang="en">Asian nations sign RCEP, a China-backed trade pact, excluding India and US</a>

"The rescue mission is our top priority now. The air force has grounded all F16s for checks and I've instructed an investigation into the cause of the incident," President Tsai Ing-wen said.

This disappearance of the 44-year-old pilot has come a few weeks after a Taiwan pilot was killed after his F-5E fighter jet crashed into the sea during a similar training programme.

Without the F16 fighter jets in the skies, Taiwan will have the locally-built Indigenous Defence Fighter, French-built Mirages from the late 1990s and F5-E fighters that date back to the 1970s protecting the country from the constant interruption from the Chinese borders.

Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise. Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet.

Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise. Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet. Also read| Taiwan talks up trans-Pacific trade pact after exclusion from new deal This decision, which was announced by the local authorities on Wednesday, has now put more pressure on the limited fleet of the country to warn off the Chinese jets which have increased their activity in the recent few months. The F16 fighter jet that went missing by being commanded by a 44-year-old pilot. It disappeared from the radar on Tuesday night at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 metres). The jet disappeared merely two minutes after taking off from Hualien air base in eastern Taiwan on the same day. Also read: Asian nations sign RCEP, a China-backed trade pact, excluding India and US "The rescue mission is our top priority now. The air force has grounded all F16s for checks and I've instructed an investigation into the cause of the incident," President Tsai Ing-wen said. This disappearance of the 44-year-old pilot has come a few weeks after a Taiwan pilot was killed after his F-5E fighter jet crashed into the sea during a similar training programme. Without the F16 fighter jets in the skies, Taiwan will have the locally-built Indigenous Defence Fighter, French-built Mirages from the late 1990s and F5-E fighters that date back to the 1970s protecting the country from the constant interruption from the Chinese borders.

Taiwan recalls all F16 fighter jets after one goes missing during training session

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-steps-up-arms-sale-to-taiwan-amid-row-with-china-328225">Taiwan </a>scrambled jets as Chinese aircraft flew around the island crossing the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo slammed China's "military blustering" over Taiwan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-scrambles-jets-as-18-chinese-planes-buzz-island-328310">Also Read:&nbsp;Taiwan scrambles jets as 18 Chinese planes buzz island</a>

"We sent the delegation to a funeral and the Chinese have apparently responded by military blustering," the US secretary of state said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-threatens-necessary-response-to-us-taiwan-meet-328391/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China had announced combat drills near the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/real-possibility-of-war-taiwan-calls-for-global-coalition-against-china-328167">Taiwan Strait </a>as US diplomat Keith Krach arrived in Taiwan on Thursday on a three-day visit. On Friday, Taiwan scrambled jets as 18 Chinese aircraft entered the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan's defence ministry said: "Sep. 18, two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters crossed the midline of the TaiwanStrait and entered Taiwan`s southwest ADIZ."

"ROCAF scrambled fighters, and deployed air defence missile system to monitor the activities," it added even as Taiwan's presidential office urged China on to exercise restraint.

Taiwan's Presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang said that the situation was under control and asked people not to panic as multiple <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-condemns-after-china-deploys-fighter-jets-in-regions-southwest-326782">Chinese jets</a> entered Taiwan's southwestern air defence identification zone.

Amid the furore, Chinese defence ministry spokesman said that the country was "holding actual combat exercises near the Taiwan Strait".

"This is a legitimate and necessary action taken to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait," Ren Guoqiang said.&nbsp; 
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After Taiwan scrambled jets as Chinese aircraft flew around the island crossing the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo slammed China's "military blustering" over Taiwan.

After Taiwan scrambled jets as Chinese aircraft flew around the island crossing the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo slammed China's "military blustering" over Taiwan. Also Read: Taiwan scrambles jets as 18 Chinese planes buzz island "We sent the delegation to a funeral and the Chinese have apparently responded by military blustering," the US secretary of state said. Watch: China had announced combat drills near the Taiwan Strait as US diplomat Keith Krach arrived in Taiwan on Thursday on a three-day visit. On Friday, Taiwan scrambled jets as 18 Chinese aircraft entered the Taiwan Straits. Taiwan's defence ministry said: "Sep. 18, two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters crossed the midline of the TaiwanStrait and entered Taiwan`s southwest ADIZ." "ROCAF scrambled fighters, and deployed air defence missile system to monitor the activities," it added even as Taiwan's presidential office urged China on to exercise restraint. Taiwan's Presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang said that the situation was under control and asked people not to panic as multiple Chinese jets entered Taiwan's southwestern air defence identification zone. Amid the furore, Chinese defence ministry spokesman said that the country was "holding actual combat exercises near the Taiwan Strait". "This is a legitimate and necessary action taken to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait," Ren Guoqiang said.

After Taiwan scrambles jets, Pompeo slams China's 'military blustering'

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Taiwan recalls all F16 fighter jets after one goes missing during training session

After Taiwan scrambles jets, Pompeo slams China's 'military blustering'