Troops stationed in Kinmen County conducted live-fire exercises early this morning, deploying armored vehicles and artillery to engage simulated sea and air targets, the Kinmen Defense Command said.
The drills, conducted in forward positions in southwestern Kinmen Island and in waters off the island's southern coast, were part of ongoing efforts to improve combat capabilities and troops' ability to respond swiftly to threats, the command said.
Photo: Wu Cheng-ting, Taipei Times
Kinmen Island — less than 10km off China's southeastern coast and about 190km from the main island of Taiwan — is seen as a bulwark against a possible Chinese invasion.
Today, units under the Kinmen Garrison Battalion carried out live-fire drills that simulated several combat scenarios, including supporting friendly forces, conducting reinforcement operations and repelling enemy special forces.
Unexpected scenarios simulating enemy amphibious landings and special operations were among those used to train troops to respond to "gray zone" threats, the command said in a statement.
Weapons deployed included 20mm cannons, 42mm mortars, 105mm howitzers, 105mm tank guns, 120mm mortars, 155mm cannons and eight-inch howitzers, the command said.
The drills dispersed weapons across multiple positions to establish overlapping fields of fire and provide cover for the movement of armored vehicles, it added.
The command said air defense units and the Beiding garrison also joined the exercise, providing fire support and coordinating defensive operations with the Kinmen Garrison Battalion.
All units used the Team Awareness Kit to strengthen communications and command coordination during the exercise, the command said.
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