TAIPEI - Two Taiwanese fighter pilots and two Singaporean servicemen were killed Friday when a F-5F jet crashed into a military compound during an exercise, defence minister Lee Jye said on Friday.

The warplane crashed 30 minutes after take-off from an air base in the southeast of the island during a simulation of a ground attack, according to the defense ministry.

The two Singaporean servicemen were killed and two others hurt when the jet crashed into the complex where they were staying while participating in a training programme, Lee told reporters.

The pair killed were not taking part in Friday's drill, Lee said, adding that the cause of the crash was under investigation.

All remaining F-5F fighters participating in the drill -- 60 or so -- were immediately grounded, but Lee said the live-fire "Han Kuang (Han Glory) 23" manoeuvres would go on as scheduled next week.

Taiwan prepares to showcase its military strength, beginning next Monday, in five days of exercises designed to test its defence capabilities against rival China. - AFP/ir