Taiwan conducted missile drills that simulated intercepting hostile fighter and munition planes over a sensitive testing ground on Tuesday, the island seeks to enhance its “combat effectiveness” against an increasingly aggressive China.
Accordingly, Beijing considers self-ruled Taiwan part of its territory and has increased military pressure by sending drones, fighter jets and naval vessels around the island.
Taiwan has been incrementally building up defense capabilities in the past few years through making large purchases of weapons alongside extra funding for defense budget to cater for military reforms as well as homegrown arsenal.
On Tuesday, domestically manufactured Sky Bow III missiles and American-made Patriot II missiles were launched into the sky from Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County.
It was the first time members of the media were being allowed access to this place after more than a decade; it is home to National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology which is state-run and excels in weapon development.
“All the missiles fired today hit their targets smoothly. So it demonstrates… that the training of our officers and soldiers is very solid,” Sun Li-fang told reporters, defense ministry spokesman.
At dawn two types of missiles were launched into the sky while RIM-66 Standard rockets were fired from a frigate off coast line.
The main aim of this exercise according to Colonel Kao Shu-li from Air Force’s air defence division was to build “the overall combat effectiveness of the force”.
“We’ve got what it takes… we’ll defend our country”, added Lieutenant Cheng Yong-ru who commanded one battalion during live-fire exercise.
In other news on Tuesday, Taiwan’s defence ministry between 6 am (2200 GMT Monday) reported five Chinese airplanes plus eleven warships being around Taiwan within 24 hours.
