China Pilot Training: Aerial Refuelling Boosts Readiness
- The People's Liberation Army Air Force is incorporating aerial refueling into its pilot training program to enhance combat readiness and long-range operational capabilities.
- F-16, includes a two-seat version used for advanced fighter and strike training.
- The academy plans to expand its aerial refueling training program.
China’s Air Force is aggressively boosting pilot training by integrating aerial refueling, a move designed to significantly enhance combat readiness and extend operational reach. This strategic shift, highlighted in recent reports from the shijiazhuang Flight Academy, sees the PLA Air Force training with J-10 fighter jets and YU-20 tankers. The primary goal is to cultivate a new generation of pilots capable of handling complex, long-range missions from the outset of their careers. This program aims to reduce the time needed to produce battle-ready pilots by embedding these skills early. News Directory 3 reports how this initiative aims to transform training approaches. To sharpen combat skills and project power, the PLA Air Force is expanding this training regimen. Discover what’s next in this dynamic evolution of air power.
China’s Air Force Boosts Pilot Training with Aerial Refueling
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force is incorporating aerial refueling into its pilot training program to enhance combat readiness and long-range operational capabilities. The initiative was showcased in a recent report featuring footage from the PLA’s Shijiazhuang Flight Academy, were instructors are training with J-10 fighter jets and YU-20 tankers.
The J-10, considered China’s counterpart to the U.S. F-16, includes a two-seat version used for advanced fighter and strike training. A variant,the J-10CE,was reportedly used by Pakistan in combat against Indian forces near Kashmir.
The academy plans to expand its aerial refueling training program. The goal is to refine combat readiness and better prepare pilots for the demands of modern battlefield operations. This strategic move aims to cultivate real-combat capabilities early in a pilot’s career, according to Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor.
“Previously, such training was limited to experienced operational units,” Song said. “Now it’s moving upstream into pilot education, opening a new path for building a strategic air force with global reach.”
The program is designed to foster a long-range operational mindset among pilots early on, reducing the time between graduation and combat readiness. This enhancement will considerably boost the military’s ability to rapidly produce a battle-ready talent pool, according to Song.
What’s next
The PLA Air Force plans to continue expanding its aerial refueling training program, integrating it further into the curriculum at the Shijiazhuang Flight Academy. This ongoing effort aims to ensure that new pilots are fully prepared for the complexities of modern aerial combat and long-range missions,enhancing China’s air power projection capabilities.