The armed forces yesterday launched a five-day series of computer-simulated exercises incorporating maritime patrol aircraft and attack helicopters that are scheduled to enter service over the next year.
The computer scenario, which simulates an attack from China and is part of the Han Kuang 28 series of military exercises, included P-3C “Orion” maritime patrol aircraft and AH-64D Longbow attack helicopters, among other platforms, to see how they would fare in a combat environment.
Taiwan has signed contracts with the US for 12 refurbished P-3C aircraft, which will provide a much-needed boost to the nation’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The aircraft will replace the aging S-2T marine patrol aircraft.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has used the P-3C to great effect in its efforts to monitor intrusions by foreign ships in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
The military has also ordered from the US 30 AH-64D Longbow attack helicopters, whose main use will be for near-shore defense.
The first deliveries of P-3Cs and AH-64Ds are expected to begin within the next year.
The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the exercise began yesterday, but did not provide further details.
However, defense officials said recently that the computer simulation would also include information and electronic warfare capabilities, two sectors in which US military officials are believed to be providing behind-the-scenes assistance.
Countermeasures to ballistic and cruise missile attacks, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles — all of which would likely play a role in the opening shots of war in the Taiwan Strait — will also be part of the exercise, reports said.
The five-day exercise, which involves the army, navy and air force, follows another five-day drill held in late April, which also simulated an attack by China.
The military also held a live-fire exercise at the Tri-Service Joint Training Base at Paolishan (保力山) in Henchun (恆春), Pingtung County, early last month following criticism that the exercises in April did not feature live ammunition.
Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱) told the legislature recently that the military would incorporate lessons learned from this year’s computer-assisted war games into next year’s military exercises.
Additional reporting by AFP
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES: Despite the threats from outside, Taiwan and Lithuania thrived and developed their economies, former president Tsai Ing-wen said Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Saturday thanked Lithuania for its support of Taiwan, saying that both countries are united as partners in defending democracy. Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group welcoming her on her first visit to the Baltic state, Tsai said that while she was president from 2016 to last year, many Lithuanian “friends” visited Taiwan. “And I told myself I have to be here. I am very happy that I am here, a wonderful country and wonderful people,” Tsai said. Taiwan and Lithuania are in similar situations as both are neighbors to authoritarian countries, she
The Taipei District Court sentenced babysitters Liu Tsai-hsuan (劉彩萱) and Liu Jou-lin (劉若琳) to life and 18 years in prison respectively today for causing the death of a one-year-old boy in December 2023. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said that Liu Tsai-hsuan was entrusted with the care of a one-year-old boy, nicknamed Kai Kai (剴剴), in August 2023 by the Child Welfare League Foundation. From Sept. 1 to Dec. 23 that year, she and her sister Liu Jou-lin allegedly committed acts of abuse against the boy, who was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries on Dec. 24, 2023, but did not
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RSS