Taipei, Dec. 26 (CNA) The Republic of China Air Force will step up consolidation of beyond-the-vision combat capabilities of its second-generation warplanes starting next year, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Huang Suey-sheng said Tuesday.
Huang said the Air Force has commissioned many second-generation warplanes into service this year, including a second wing of the locally developed Ching-kuo Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), five squadrons of the U.S.-made F-16 jet fighters and two squadrons of the French-built Mirage 2000-5 jet fighters.
In the coming year, Huang said, the Air Force will focus on integration and consolidation of beyond-the-vision or hit-and-run combat capabilities of all these three types of new-generation warplanes to ensure its air supremacy over the Taiwan Strait in the face of mainland China's mounting military threat.
Huang said the Air Force also plans to purchase even more advanced stealth warplanes that can conduct short-range or vertical takeoffs and long-range precision targeting at several different targets simultaneously.
In view of Beijing's intensified military modernization plan, Huang said, the ROC Air Force will develop a multi-dimensional, multi-sorties air defense strategy characterized by the use of multi-types of warplanes.
Against this backdrop, Huang went on, all Air Force pilots must also undergo mixed warplanes tactical training in order to effectively integrate all new-generation weaponry systems and beef up their overall combat capabilities.
Over the past year, Huang said, Air Force pilots have received training in firing of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. "and in the new year, they will receive intensive training in integrating different weaponry systems and upgrading performance," Huang said, adding that all these training programs are designed to help realize the ROC's ultimate military goal of deterring its enemy from launching any attack on Taiwan.
As part of its efforts to resolve pilot shortage problems, Huang said, the Air Force has opened "professional pilots" classes to cultivate new pilots. In addition, he said, the Air Force has also offered special financial incentives to encourage active-duty pilots to postpone their retirement plans.
The ROC Air Force has taken delivery of 130 IDFs, 60 Mirage 2000-5s and more than 100 F-16s in the past few years. As a result, it must accelerate training of more qualified pilots to operate so many second-generation warplanes. (By Sofia Wu)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
