Newly acquired rockets, missile systems and drones are to be put to the test during this year's live-fire portion of the annual Han Kuang exercises, which run from Wednesday through July 18.
Among the armaments set to make their debut are US-supplied M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, newly purchased uncrewed aviation vehicles and a domestically built land-based version of the Tien Chien II (Sky Sword II) missile, the Ministry of National Defense has said.
Asked to comment on the significance of the new weapon systems' inclusion in this year's Han Kuang exercises, Shu Hsiao-huang (舒孝煌), a researcher at the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, used the HIMARS as an example.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
The US-made rocket system has an extended range of 70km, much farther than those used by the military at present, Shu said.
The military should use the Han Kuang exercises to assess how the longer range of HIMARS could affect Taiwan's overall rocket deployment strategy, Shu said.
Meanwhile, up to 22,000 reservists are to participate in this year's 10-day exercises to test their ability to provide brigade-sized, rather than battalion-sized, support, the ministry said.
The live-fire portion of this year's Han Kuang exercises is to last 10 days — twice as long as previous iterations — and would place added emphasis on unscripted scenarios and China's "gray zone" tactics, which involve coercive actions that fall short of open conflict, the ministry said last week.
The annual Han Kuang exercises, which have served as Taiwan's major war games since 1984, consist of live-fire drills and computerized tabletop war games.
This year's tabletop games were conducted from April 5 to 18.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS