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
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS