In recent years, Chinese military aircraft have been frequently harassing Taiwan’s airspace, leading to frequent takeoffs of Taiwan’s fighter jets for monitoring purposes. Major Hsiao-Te Ni, a pilot of the Taiwanese IDF Ching-kuo fighter jet, stated that after takeoff, the fighter jets climb to maximum performance, maintain surveillance in favorable airspace, and keep safe distances from the Chinese aircraft using fire control radar in a search pattern, all while adhering to the principle of being fearless and not backing down in their missions.
According to reports from the Central News Agency, in order to help the public understand the strengthening of military readiness by the Taiwanese military during the Lunar New Year period, the Ministry of National Defense has started a media invitation event to observe the enhanced military preparedness, starting from the 7th of this month. Today (8th), the media visited the Air Force Base in Ching Chuan Kang to interview the Air Force’s 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing conducting operations with the IDF Ching-kuo fighter jets. The Air Force mentioned that these operations involved the mounting of various weapons, external fuel tanks, and transportation within a specified time period by ground crew personnel.
During the on-site demonstration, after their mission, the IDF fighter jets were landed for defensive external mounting, which included attaching one AIM-9P4 Sidewinder missile on each wingtip and one Tien Chien II medium-range air-to-air missile under the fuselage, along with loading the aircraft cannon. Due to safety considerations, the refueling operation was simulated.
With Chinese military aircraft frequently causing disturbances near Taiwan, if the IDF fighter jets on alert duty need to take off within 5 minutes, the Air Force also conducted an emergency takeoff drill for IDF fighter jets for local and foreign media on the 7th.
Faced with the need to be alert to Chinese military aircraft regardless of time, Major Hsiao-Te Ni, training officer of the 28th Squadron of the Air Force’s 3rd Wing, explained that surveillance is divided into daytime and nighttime shifts, with different teams responsible for standby duty, ensuring that the pilots have sufficient rest during their rotation.
Major Ni stated that the IDF fighter jets are equipped with IPS integrated power system, allowing the engines to be started quickly and taking off within 5 minutes to carry out missions. After takeoff, they climb to designated altitudes at maximum performance and, following orders from the Air Force Operations Command, maintain surveillance in favorable airspace to keep a safe distance from Chinese aircraft. They monitor using fire control radar search patterns without crossing limits, executing their missions with the principle of being fearless and resolute towards the enemy.
Media inquiries have raised concerns about the proximity of Chinese military aircraft to Taiwan’s airspace, with only a 3-minute flight time to the island once they enter Taiwan’s surrounding airspace. There are worries whether the 5-minute emergency takeoff limit for IDF fighter jets may be inadequate.
Major Ni clarified that the closest distance from mainland China to Taiwan is between Hsinchu and Taichung, and with the location of Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, the IDF fighter jets can reach the corresponding position within 1 to 2 minutes after takeoff, stating that “we have more than enough time within 3 minutes.”