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Major weapon systems used in anti-landing drill in Pingtung County

ROC Central News Agency

2019/05/30 14:45:26

Taipei, May 30 (CNA) All of the nation's most cutting-edge weapons systems were featured in a large-scale joint anti-landing drill in Pingtung County that involved all branches of the military on Thursday as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises.

The joint air-sea anti-landing drill that simulated an invasion by Chinese military by sea with air support began around 9 a.m. at a seashore military drill ground in the southern county.

In response, Taiwan's military deployed F-16 fighter jets and Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), Knox-class frigates and the Thunderbolt-2000, a new artillery multiple launch rocket system, to deter the invading force.

AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters and AH-64E Apache helicopters also took part, while, CM11 and CM22 armored vehicles and CM-34 Clouded Leopard eight-wheeled armored vehicles were also deployed.

The first appearance of the CM-34 armored vehicles in the Han Kuang drills was one of the highlights of the exercises.

The latest model of the indigenous Clouded Leopard armored vehicle passed required testing last October before entering mass production. A total of 284 of the vehicles are expected to be made in the coming years.

A military official previously told CNA that compared with the CM-32 models that are armed with 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, the CM-34 has a 30mm cannon with a range of 2,000 meters, has better anti-tank capabilities and can precisely fire several rounds in rapid succession.

Another highlight of the drill included a squad of nine female military personnel responsible for firing M110 203mm self-propelled guns. The squad leader told local media that she is extremely proud to be able to take part in the annual drill.

According to a defense ministry statement, Thursday's drill was meant to test the military's asymmetric warfare capabilities amid a growing military threat and has adjusted its focus for defending against a possible Chinese invasion.

In recent decades, Taiwan's armed forces have seen beach landings as the focal point in repelling a potential Chinese invasion, but that emphasis has now been broadened to an outer perimeter along coastal areas.

Taiwan was forced to shift its strategy because China has been developing expeditionary warfare and over-the-horizon amphibious assault capabilities that pose a threat all along Taiwan's coastline, a source told local media.

The strategy shift means that the military will put greater emphasis on boosting the defensive capabilities of its Air Force and Navy rather than making the buildup of its Army the priority, as has been the case in the past, the source said.

The Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's most important war games, are held each year to in two stages. The first comprises computerized war games, while the second stage is a five-day live-fire exercise held around the country.

The 35th edition of the annual drill, involving 3,000 personnel, began Monday and will conclude Friday.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)
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