Taiwan yesterday conducted this year’s first military exercises at Longsiang Base in Taichung, demonstrating the newly acquired High Mobility Artillery Rocket System’s (HIMARS) ability to provide fire support and deep-strike capabilities.
The scenario simulated an attack on Penghu County, with HIMARS trucks immediately rolling into designated launch areas and firing barrages at the Wangan (望安) and Cimei (七美) islands, simulating the provision of fire support against invading forces.
The HIMARS are supposed to “fire and leave,” which would significantly increase personnel and equipment survivability, a military official said.
Photo: An Rong Xu, Bloomberg
The drill simulated an exercise launched by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command that turned into an assault against Taiwan’s critical infrastructure with the aid of local collaborators.
It began with special combat units reconnoitering the field with tactical close-range rotary-wing uncrewed aerial vehicles, also known as the Capricorn, followed swiftly by special operations units, who acted as the aggressors, landing in the operation zone via UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
The units attempted to wrest control of the command tower from defending troops by engaging in close-quarters combat.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA
A sergeant major surnamed Yu (游) said that his squad was able to carry out its part in the exercises in a high-pressure environment due to rigorous training.
Fire support on the defenders’ side entered in the form of eight-wheeled Cloud Leopard Armored Personnel Vehicles and M60A3 tanks.
Ground-launched versions of the Tian Jian II missiles (Sky Sword) were on standby, simulating the army’s contingency in the event the PLA attempted to complement the sudden assault with WZ-10 helicopters that would support a Type 075 amphibious assault ship.
Photo: An Rong Xu, Bloomberg
The exercise concluded with a final sweep of the contested zone by friendly AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters.
A deputy company commander surnamed Lu (陸) said the HIMARS would be able to significantly increase the army’s capability to provide fire support from a distance.
Aviation 602nd Brigade pilot captain Lan (藍) said that while training was difficult, it gave pilots a better sense of what they were doing and would be able to better defend the country.
Army Command Headquarters said that military personnel would continue to train and remain on guard before and throughout the Lunar New Year period to ensure that the public can enjoy the holiday.
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