Taiwan to hold missile drills near Pingtung — Taipei Times
Taiwan’s armed forces will conduct live-fire exercises this week using missiles, rocket weapons and drones at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung County. All military branches, as well as the coast guard, will take part in the drills, Taipei Times reports.
Missiles and joint operations
According to the publication’s source, the exercises may involve Tian Kung (Sky Bow), Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind) and Land Sword II missiles. The military will practice capabilities for precision strikes against targets at long range.
Coast guard vessels are to launch anti-ship missiles to train the joint combat capabilities of the armed forces and coast guard under wartime conditions.
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Restricted areas
This year’s exercises are being conducted by Taiwan’s navy. They are organized annually on a rotating basis by the navy and air force. Live-fire warnings have been issued for maritime and air zones in the exercise area.
The navy has designated three areas: from the sea east of Taimali in Taitung County to Cape Eluanbi in Pingtung; from the Taitung-Pingtung boundary to maritime areas east of Green Island and Orchid Island; and east of Chenggong Township and Taimali. These restricted areas were also used during exercises over the previous three years. Fighter jets, helicopters and drones are also expected to enter the area.
Another military source said HIMARS rocket systems with a range of up to 300 km are most likely not to be used in these drills. The use of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles was also described as unlikely: their launch requires US approval, and the cost of each fired missile exceeds 100 million New Taiwan dollars, or about US$3.16 million.
