With the rising threat from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) — including incursions by its air force across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and military drills in Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern air defense identification zones day and night — tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region are dangerously high.
To enhance the air defense capabilities of pilots, the Republic of China Air Force said that it would resume late-night flight training from 11pm to early morning.
Night-flight capability is a key indicator to determine whether an air force possesses round-the-clock preparedness.
The pressure on Taiwan’s air force will only increase now that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) said it would increase its national defense budget in the annual “two sessions” gathering of the Chinese government.
The CCP’s national defense budget is about the equivalent of NT$7.32 trillion (US$231.26 billion), about 12 times what Taiwan spends.
To tackle the imbalanced situation, Taiwan’s military should bolster its training programs, not engage in an arms race.
Instrument flight rules (IFR), where pilots rely solely on flight deck instruments, are one of the most important parts of night training.
Based on data from instruments, pilots can ascertain crucial information such as altitude, conditions outside the aircraft and changes in topography.
Moreover, night-time IFR training can reduce the possibility of accidents caused by spatial disorientation — the inability to determine position or relative motion.
The three main kinds of fighter jets Taiwan deploys are equipped with complete night-time flight instruments.
The nation’s air force has also intensified late-night training in F-16 jets and other aircraft after upgrading their equipment and purchasing new items.
In the face of the CCP’s threat, pragmatically making decisions for military personnel is an important part of preparation. Although night flights might bother nearby residents, people should view national security as a priority and support the military.
Ray Song is a doctoral student at Tamkang University’s Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies.
Translated by Chien Yan-ru
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