Taiwan carried out a “comprehensive” air defense drill this Thursday, with the aim of strengthening its reaction capabilities in the face of threats from the Chinese regime.
According to the Taiwan Air Force Commandthe maneuver included various branches of the Army, including the air force, maritime and missile unitsto “improve the overall effectiveness of defensive operations” and evaluate response procedures in a realistic combat context.
This drill was carried out between 05:00 and 07:00 local time and sought to test the coordination and preparation of Taiwanese forces in the face of the challenges posed by the growing pressure from the Beijing regime.
The Taiwanese Air Force Command highlighted that, due to the “changes in enemy threats”, the island will continue to strengthen its defensive resilience through regular exercises.
The units involved in the drill included the F-16V, Mirage-2000, and IDF fightersas well as transport aircraft C-130H Herculesand attack helicopters AH-64E Apache. Additionally, the forces involved in the training simulated simultaneous attacks on “key positions,” allowing the integration of air defense capabilities and electronic warfare in joint operations.
This defense exercise takes place in a context of growing tension between Taiwan and China, which considers the island a part of its territory, and while the Taiwanese president, William Laiis preparing for a diplomatic tour of the island’s allied countries.
Lai will visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palaucountries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in order to strengthen ties and counteract diplomatic pressure from Beijing.
China, for its part, has shown its discontent with this trip and has warned that any stopover in US territories such as Guam or Hawaii would be seen as an “attempt to support the independence of Taiwan”, urging Washington to “respect the principle of China alone.”
Lai’s trip also comes at a time of tension due to the recent presence of chinese hot air balloons in the vicinity of Taiwan. These balloons, detected by the Taiwanese authorities, are part of the “gray zone” tactics used by the Chinese Army, designed to generate uncertainty and fear in the population.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that two chinese spy balloons They flew over the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) of the island, an area whose security is compromised by these unauthorized movements.
In total, since last December, Taiwan has detected 105 of these balloons near its airspace.
Meanwhile, the Beijing regime continues its efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and hinder its participation in international organizations.
The Chinese leadership has increased its pressure on the few countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with the island, demanding that they cut ties with Taiwan under threat of economic and political retaliation.
These types of maneuvers are intensifying just as Taiwan is in full preparation to strengthen its alliances with Pacific nations, which have been crucial to countering Beijing’s attempts to marginalize the island in the international arena.
(With information from AFP and EFE)
