Warships from the 151st Fleet yesterday carried out naval maneuvers and marine patrol exercises as part of military preparations to preserve security and peace across the Taiwan Strait during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Leading the exercises with naval commanding officers aboard was the 20,630-tonne fast combat support ship Panshih, the largest vessel in the Republic of China Navy.
Two mainstay warships of the 151st Fleet from Kaohsiung’s Zuoying Naval Base also participated in the mission, comprising the naval escort group for the Panshih, including the 3,200-tonne Kang Ding-class (Lafayette-class) Si Ning frigate and the 7,289-tonne Keelung-class Tso Ying destroyer.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
Naval crews and pilots conducted the combined air and marine patrol drill, with one S-70C “Seahawk” helicopter flying reconnaissance patrols with a dipping sonar system before making a deck landing on the Panshih while the vessel sailed in open water.
A Tuo Jiang-class stealth missile corvette, capable of carrying subsonic Hsiung Feng II and supersonic Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles, completed the escort group and also took part in the drill.
Simulating the detection of an enemy submarine in the area by reconnaissance patrol, the Tuo Jiang corvette set off infrared countermeasure flares over the water, which would help counter an incoming missile.
Commanding officers inspected the naval crew undertaking resupply maneuvers at sea, where cable lines were used to connect two ships as fuel, supplies and munitions were transferred between them while both vessels were under power.
The crews completed what is known as “alongside connected replenishment” (CONREP), where the Panshih assisted with the refueling of the Tso Ying using a hose between the vessels.
At the end of the exercise, the Panshih crew performed a dragon dance and drum show on the ship’s deck, wishing the nation a happy Lunar New Year.
“We have ships scheduled to patrol waters around Taiwan in the coming weeks,” Vice Admiral Kao Tien-chung (高天忠) said. “The navy and all its members will be steadfast and resolute on duty to defend the nation’s maritime and land territories. It is for all the public to feel safe and at ease to enjoy the Lunar New Year holiday.
The “enhanced combat preparedness” drills are conducted before the Lunar New Year holiday each year, Kao said, adding that Ministry of Defense officials help coordinate and inspect progress at all branches of the armed forces.
Other military officials said that the maneuvers are a show of force and act as a deterrent against threatening moves by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, while keeping security and peace across the Taiwan Strait.
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