Taiwan is facing a shortage of fighter pilots as a result of falling birth rates, the declining appeal of the military and the increasing threat from China.
CHIAYI, Taiwan — Five years ago, Taiwanese fighter pilot Lt. Col. Hsiao Yi-chiao was ordered to scramble to intercept an incoming Chinese military aircraft. He took off within six minutes, his F-16 jet screaming into the sky above southern Taiwan.
Nowhere is the problem more critical than in Taiwan’s elite ranks of fighter pilots, who are dealing with near-daily incursions by Chinese warplanes. The highly maneuverable aircraft are able to detect, track and attack targets over great distances and are considered central to resisting a Chinese military invasion.Taiwan will need about 100 new pilots to fly the jets due to arrive in three years’ time, but the air force added a net total of only 21 F-16 pilots from 2011 to 2019, according to data from Taiwan’s legislature.
“When tensions were less severe, we were hearing about the expelling mainland aircraft about once every two weeks. When things were worse, we were hearing it every two or three days,” he said, referring to broadcasts on the emergency radio channel. To recruit more pilots, the air force has lowered standards for admissions, including requirements for eyesight and scores on admissions tests. Officials stress that this will not affect the quality of pilots because the training requirements remain the same.
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