Chinese navy tries to address pilot shortage by widening recruitment drive to postgraduates
- The maximum recruitment age for trainee fliers has been extended to 26 – but only for men expected to finish postgraduate studies next year
- The Chinese navy has been expanding rapidly, but a lack of trained pilots is a lingering problem that holds back its development as a fighting force
In the recently announced recruitment plan for 2024, the navy of the People’s Liberation Army has for the first time extended eligibility to candidates expected to receive a postgraduate degree next year. This follows a decision to include university graduates in this year’s programme.
“As the mission and tasks of the navy continue to expand and our strategic transformation accelerates, the demand for high-quality military personnel has become increasingly urgent,” the PLA Navy notice said.
“We warmly welcome participation from young students who are dedicated to national defence, committed to the sea and air, and with excellent qualities.”
Earlier this year, the PLA Navy enrolled about 4,500 junior high school students – aged 15 to 16 – in a three-year youth aviation school programme to prepare them to take part in a selection process for training at the Naval Aviation University in Shandong province.