Chinese President Xi Jinping urges military to boost drone warfare capacity
- Xi tells students at air force university that pilot training is also a key element in strengthening the armed forces
- Chinese leader says a ‘triumphant spirit’ is key to a strong military
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the country’s military should accelerate its drone warfare research and training.
On a visit to a military university in the northeast of the country, he also called for a drive to train more pilots as part of the ongoing efforts to boost the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities.
“Now we already have advanced aircraft and air defence weapons, we must also have a triumphant spirit, which is the soul of a strong army,” Xi told students at the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun on Thursday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi added “the training of a pilot embodies the expectations of the [Chinese Communist] party and the people, and the hope to build a strong military”.
He also said: “Drones are profoundly changing war scenarios. It is necessary to strengthen drone combat research, education and training, and accelerate the training of drone pilots and commanders.”
Zhou Chenming, a Beijing based military analyst, said: “China is in need of large numbers of warplane pilots due to its rapid drive to beef up its air force capabilities in recent years.”