China ramps up pilot training to boost drone operator ranks as unmanned vehicles rise in military importance

PLA academy identifies the key skills essential for drone pilots, including task planning, flight control and maintenance

As well as flying vehicles, the Chinese military uses unmanned boats, underwater vessels and cars

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China’s military has increased its use of drones. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00pm, 28 Oct 2020Updated: 11:45pm, 28 Oct 2020

The Chinese army has launched professional drone operator courses at its academies as the importance of unmanned equipment increases and more skilled personnel are needed.

The first batch of professional drone operators recently sat their certificate exam at the Army Engineering University of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), PLA Daily reported on Tuesday.

“In recent years, the army has looked into reform and transformation, set the focus on the new combat posts of drone operators and sped up nurturing new types of military talents,” the report said.

The PLA has developed for, and equipped its troops with, many drones, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surface boats and underwater vehicles, and even robot road cars for various purposes.

At last year’s National Day parade, advanced unmanned vehicles – including supersonic reconnaissance drones, stealth combat drones and underwater drones – were displayed.

Notably, many UAVs have been deployed to the southwest border in the Himalayas, where the PLA has confronted Indian troops in a territorial dispute that has been going on for months.

Some are logistical swarm drones that can transport supplies to inaccessible outposts in the mountains during winter, some are large missile-capable reconnaissance and strike drones specially modified for a high-altitude environment and some are communication relay devices for infantries and artilleries.

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