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Taiwan holds live-fire anti-landing drill in outlying county

ROC Central News Agency

2013/04/17 12:41:18

Taipei, April 17 (CNA) Taiwan held a live-fire anti-landing drill in outlying Penghu County Wednesday to test the military's combat capabilities in holding off a simulated attack by China.

President Ma Ying-jeou followed the drill in Penghu, accompanied by Gen. Yen Ming, chief of the general staff of the country's military.

The nearly 50-minute drill, part of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises, featured the indigenous Thunderbolt-2000 multiple rocket launcher system, seen in action publicly for the first time.

A total of 81 rockets were fired from nine truck-mounted launchers, the Ministry of National Defense said. FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles were also launched in the drill on the Penghu Islands.

Located in the Taiwan Strait about 40-50 kilometers off the coast of southwestern Taiwan, the islands are seen as being of strategic geographical importance in the country's defense against China.

The live-fire drill demonstrated "our determination to protect our country," Ma said after the exercise.

Although cross-Taiwan Strait relations are at their most peaceful in 60 years, Taiwan cannot let its guard down and must remain vigilant amid China's military buildup, he said.

Live ammunition was used in a Han Kuang drill for the first time Wednesday since 2008, according to the ministry. The exercises, Taiwan's most important war games, involve the Army, the Air Force and the Navy and are designed to test their joint combat capabilities.

Many other parts of Taiwan's arsenal were used in Wednesday's drill, including F-16A/B jet fighters, IDF fighters, F-5E fighters, a Chengkung-class frigate and Kuang Hua VI fast-attack boats.

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters and OH-58D reconnaissance helicopters, M60A3 battle tanks, 155mm howitzers, and 120-mm mortars were also deployed in the drill, which simulated an attack by Chinese forces.

In all, 21 types of weapons were deployed and 7,682 military personnel participated, the ministry said.

Wednesday's drill was a part of the first round of this year's Han Kuang exercises being held around the clock for five consecutive days and concluding on April 19.

A second round, slated for July, will consist of computer-aided war games, the ministry said.

Taiwan and China were intense rivals during the Cold War, but relations have thawed over time and ties have grown closer since 2008, when Ma came to office in Taiwan.

(By Elaine Hou)