The war between Russia and Ukraine has attracted attention to the small size of drones. Luo Zhengfang, the founder and chairman of Taiwan's Jingwei Aerospace Technology, mentioned that drones are air superiority in small places. Ukraine uses drones to search in the air and ahead.

Luo Zhengfang, founder and chairman of Taiwan Jingwei Aerospace Technology. (Photo by Huang Xiaojun, China Review Society, Hong Kong)

The Russia-Ukraine war has attracted attention to the small-scale drones that compete with the big ones. Luo Zhengfang, founder and chairman of Taiwan Jingwei Aerospace Technology, mentioned that drones are air superiority in small places, Ukraine uses drones to search for targets in the air and in the front, or to report enemy coordinates to rear artillery troops for precise bombardment, or to modify grenades and gasoline bombs to accurately deliver them to the top of armored vehicles, such as Turkey Assisted TB2 or self-modified civilian multi-axis machine. He also said that there are now more than 10,000 drone pilots in Taiwan, which would mean an additional 10,000 new air force personnel in wartime.

Luo Zhengfang said that a traditional fighter pilot needs to be trained for several years before he can be put into actual flight and combat. If an accident occurs, he will lose one combat capability and lose hundreds of millions of yuan. Pilots are rare and very rare. "We have now bought F16V , weapons are not a problem, but there is a shortage of more than 100 pilots." The drone training course lasts about 3 days to 1 week. Drones are not only cheap to produce, but also can greatly shorten the training time in actual operation. No talent or good training skills are required.

He also said that due to changes in civil aviation regulations in Taiwan, there are now more than 10,000 drone pilots. In wartime, there would be an additional 10,000 air force. Coupled with Taiwan's low birthrate and the -based military recruitment system, there will be resistance to extending the frontline service time. The military service is thinking about whether there can be more systems to replace manpower.

Luo Zhengfang said that if a war breaks out, machines should be used to fight the first wave. Taiwan’s drones should be deployed in greater numbers, production should be increased, and departures should be faster. The DPP authorities are developing training aircraft, and drones, but the current numbers are not enough. Seeing the example of the Russia-Ukraine war, more drones are needed, and the military budget can be transferred to the configuration of drones.

Luo Zhengfang mentioned, can the system be loosened? Taiwan's young people who are fond of drones can be turned into attackers during wartime, especially the military service training process. In addition to traditional training, can professional training for emerging drones be added? It's an urgent need.