POBNEWS24, Desk report Dhaka Mar 28, 2024 : Taiwan on Tuesday conducted an air defense drill with the deployment of US-made Patriot missiles and anti-aircraft guns, saying it would step up training to counter Chinese military “encroachment” around the self-ruled island.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not rule out the possibility of using force to control the island.
China has increased military pressure on Taipei by maintaining an almost daily presence of warplanes and ships around the island. This strategy is what experts describe as a ‘grey zone’ program – strategy that doesn’t quite build up to war.
Taiwan’s air force command said they conducted the exercise between 5am and 7am (21.00-23.00 GMT Monday). The island’s proprietary Sky Bow and US-made Patriot missiles and several teams from the Army and Navy participated in the exercise.
Stating that the exercise went smoothly, he said, “The objective was to verify the command and control of joint air defense operations between the three branches of the military.”
“In the face of repeated intrusions by PLA aircraft and ships into the airspace and waters adjacent to Taiwan, the Air Force will increase the intensity and level of training to counter potential threats,” he added.
China rejected the claim
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has rejected China’s claim to the island.
As a result, all high-level contacts with Beijing have been severed since he came to power in 2016.
During his eight years in power, he increased defense spending, acquiring military weapons and upgrading Taiwan-made equipment such as submarines and ships.
“Over the past few years, we have strongly developed an independent defense system,” Sai said in a speech.
Taipei’s Ministry of Defense said 13 Chinese aircraft and seven ships (as of 6 a.m. Tuesday) were seen in the vicinity of Taiwan in 24 hours.
Last week, Taiwan identified 36 Chinese aircraft over the island in 24 hours.
This is the highest in a single day this year.
