China's PLAAF Pilot Training Program Undergoes Major Overhaul

October 27, 2016 Topic: Security Region: Asia Blog Brand: The Buzz Tags: MilitaryChinaPLAAFChinese MilitaryAir ForceAir PowerTechnology

China's PLAAF Pilot Training Program Undergoes Major Overhaul

In our report on PLAAF fighter pilot training, we find that the PLAAF has embarked on major reform of its pilot training program.

It is safe to assume that such anecdotal vignettes are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to PLAAF pilot failures. While Kongjun Bao reporting offers a larger window into PLAAF pilot training operations, the newspaper is undoubtedly quite discrete in its reporting on PLAAF pilot shortcomings. Therefore it also is safe to assume, based on anecdotal evidence, that the process of executing the new training missions given to PLAAF pilots is in the beginning stages of development and Chinese aviators are struggling to adjust to the new concepts and tasks. Still, Press’s prescience more than three decades ago that the USAF “human advantage [over the Soviets] is very fragile” should not be forgotten when assessing Chinese air force capabilities in the future. At a minimum, PLAAF leaders understand many of the institutional and cultural weaknesses that impede effectiveness and are taking measures to address them.  

Lyle J. Morris is a senior project associate at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. Eric Heginbotham is a principal research scientist at MIT’s Security Studies Program.

Image: Baidu via Wikimedia