Taiwan fired a sequence of surface-to-air missiles Tuesday throughout a live-fire drill geared toward tackling rising Chinese navy stress.
The workout routines happened on the Jiupeng Military Base in a distant space in southern Taiwan. Among the missiles launched had been Taiwan’s domestically made Sky Bow III anti-ballistic missiles, the U.S.-made Patriot PAC II and Standard surface-to-air missiles.
China claims the democratically dominated island of Taiwan as its personal territory, to be introduced below its management by power if mandatory and has ramped up its navy stress in recent times.
Beijing, particularly, dislikes Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te, who took workplace earlier this yr and whom Beijing has known as a separatist.
Taipei has boosted its deterrence capabilities in response. Missiles, each domestically constructed and U.S.-made, are key to its protection technique.
Defense Ministry Spokesperson Sun Li-fang mentioned all of the missiles launched Tuesday hit their targets.
“This shows our training is very strict and solid,” he mentioned.
Beijing didn’t instantly react to Taiwan’s drill. China sends navy jets and vessels close to Taiwan continuously in what critics name an intimidation tactic.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry mentioned early Tuesday it noticed 5 Chinese navy jets and 11 ships near its shores over the earlier 24 hours.
One plane crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between the 2 sides.
While its navy is dwarfed by China’s, Taiwan has purchased high-tech weaponry from the U.S., revitalized its home arms trade and prolonged the size of obligatory navy service from 4 months to at least one yr.
The U.S. is certain by its personal legal guidelines to supply Taiwan with the means to defend itself and considers all threats to the island as a matter of nice concern.
Source: www.dailysabah.com