Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told reporters at the Legislative Yuan today that the Armed Forces planto introduce a dedicated pilot officer program, allowing eligible pilots to serve until age 58 while continuing to receive aviation duty allowances. The program aims to retain experienced pilots. Regarding drone procurement, the Ministry of National Defense will require disassembly inspections for all drone procurements, including small-value purchases to prevent chips from red supply chains from entering military systems.
Addressing the plan to extend pilot officers’ service to age 58, Minister Koo said all pilots must undergo annual aviation medical examinations and periodic refresher training in aviation physiology, physical fitness, and G-force tolerance. Those who fail to pass the required training may no longer perform frontline flight duties. The applicable physical fitness requirements are highly stringent.
Minister Koo further explained that the Ministry’s analysis had identified service-limit issues affecting pilot officers. Lieutenant colonels face a maximum service age of 48, while colonels are also subject to limits on their years of service. Those who are not promoted or do not transition to civil aviation must retire from the military. The Ministry therefore plans to introduce a dedicated pilot officer program under which eligible personnel may serve until age 58 while continuing to receive aviation duty allowances, thereby providing stronger incentives for them to remain in service.
Minister Koo emphasized that pilot officers have a strong passion for their missions and take great pride in their profession. While ensuring that pilot officers continue to meet physical fitness requirements, the Armed Forces will extend their service and maintain relevant benefits to compete more effectively with the civil aviation sector. These measures will reduce the number of experienced, seasoned pilots compelled to pursue new careers in midlife because of age or service limits.
Responding to questions about the alleged use of PRC-made chips in procured drones, Minister Koo said the Ministry is aware of the situation. No such problems have been identified in larger procurement projects. The concerns primarily involve several small-value procurements of two or four drones for which no disassembly inspections were conducted.
Minister Koo said that, to prevent chips from red supply chains from entering military systems, the Ministry will require thorough disassembly inspections for all drone procurements. Even small-value procurements must undergo rigorous inspection to ensure procurement quality and supply chain security.