The Navy has launched major Taiwan exercise drills, starting a five-day operation around the island. These Taiwan exercise drills aim to enhance joint interception, firefighting, combat damage control, and tactical maneuvers. Additionally, the exercise includes aerial refueling and partial live-fire missions, demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to regional security.
The Taiwan exercise drills began on Monday and will take place in several maritime zones surrounding the island. Specifically, the drills will occur south of Penghu, northeast of Keelung, west of Kaohsiung’s Zuoying area, and northwest of Penghu. Consequently, these zones allow the Navy to conduct varied operations across strategic points in the waters around Taiwan.
Moreover, the Coast Guard Administration is also participating in the drills. Although the Coast Guard will not engage in live-fire exercises, it will verify its readiness to switch from peacetime to wartime operations. Therefore, its involvement highlights the increasing importance of coordinated defense between naval and coast guard forces in the region.
The Coast Guard’s 600-tonne Anping-class patrol vessels, based on the Navy’s Tuo Chiang-class corvette, will take part in the exercise. These ships come equipped with Sea Oryx rocket systems. Furthermore, during wartime, they can be upgraded to carry Hsiung Feng missiles, adding significant firepower to Taiwan’s maritime defense.
On Monday, the Navy conducted a specific drill from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in waters west of Kaohsiung and Pingtung. This included one P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft flying at an altitude of 4,000 feet and one S-70C anti-submarine helicopter operating below 1,000 feet. Thus, these maneuvers simulated anti-submarine warfare tactics, which are crucial for maintaining underwater security.
In addition, the Navy set a maximum firing altitude between 1,000 and 25,000 feet across the four designated zones. This range allows for a diverse range of combat and training activities. Overall, the drills reflect the Navy’s focus on strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Officials emphasize that these Taiwan exercise drills serve both a tactical and strategic purpose. They showcase the armed forces’ ability to operate seamlessly across different platforms and environments. Furthermore, experts note that such exercises contribute significantly to deterring potential threats in the Taiwan Strait.
Looking ahead, the Navy plans to continue regular exercises to maintain high operational readiness. These drills not only prepare forces for real conflict scenarios but also signal Taiwan’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty. In fact, analysts expect Taiwan to increase the frequency and scale of such exercises as regional challenges grow.
In summary, the Taiwan exercise drills demonstrate a comprehensive effort to enhance joint military capabilities. With multi-branch participation and complex operations, the drills send a clear message about Taiwan’s defense posture and resolve. Therefore, the Navy and Coast Guard are working closely to ensure security in a critical maritime region.
