Air pressure probes, landing gear, and decoy systems: Check. In a matter of minutes, Lieutenant Colonel Wu Meng-che had inspected his Mirage 2000 to make sure it was ready for takeoff. "If we need to scramble, I board even faster," said the fighter pilot in a khaki jumpsuit with a "Higher, stronger" patch on his shoulder. Under the concrete shelter covered with grass meant to protect aircraft in case of bombing, officers practiced loading munitions in front of the pilot when a thunderous roar interrupted all conversation: A plane had just taken off, immediately followed by another. They ascended into the sky.

At the end of the runway at Hsinchu base lies the Taiwan Strait, only 130 kilometers wide at this point. As soon as they take off, pilots find themselves in a zone of significant geopolitical stakes. Incursions by Chinese fighters from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) near the island are daily, and Taiwanese forces must always be prepared to intercept them, in case they do not turn back. Either aircraft already on patrol are redirected to them, or emergency takeoffs are necessary. "It's been increasing in recent years," explained the pilot in the jumpsuit.

You have 86.27% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.