Taiwan Holds Missile Drills in Response to Military Threats from China
The Taiwanese military launched missiles at the Jiupeng Military Base in Pingtung.
Taiwan executed live-fire missile exercises on Monday in response to escalating military pressure from China’s communist regime.
Reporters were present at a sensitive test site on the island’s southeastern corner to witness the launch of surface-to-air missiles, including U.S.-made Patriot PAC II and Taiwan’s Sky Bow III.
This marks the first missile drills since Lai Ching-te, labeled a “separatist” by Beijing, assumed the presidency of the self-governed island, which China claims sovereignty over.
In recent years, Taiwan has expressed concerns about Chinese military activities as China asserts its sovereignty claims, prompting Taipei to enhance its deterrence capabilities.
Taiwanese missile expert Chang Cheng stated that these missiles are essential for the military to maintain air superiority in potential conflicts.
At the Jiupeng Military Base in Pingtung County, southeast Taiwan, Defense Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung oversaw the drills.
Related Stories
The Air Defense and Missile Command of Taiwan test-fired Patriot PAC II and Sky Bow III missiles, as well as a RIM-66 Standard missile from a warship off the coast.
According to Col. Kao Shu-li, the 794th Brigade commander, the missiles targeted airborne objects.
Defense ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang confirmed that all missiles hit their intended targets.
He stated, “The soldiers’ training is solid, and our weapons systems are verified through this live-fire missile exercise. We have successfully achieved our goals.”
Jiupeng Military Base is where the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) tests new missiles, including an extended-range version of the Hsiung Feng designed to reach deeper targets in China.
In response to reports of testing Sky Bow IV and Hsiung Feng IIE, Sun mentioned that classified missile information would not be disclosed.
Chang, a former engineer on the Hsiung Feng III project, emphasized the importance of surface-to-air missiles in maintaining air superiority, a critical factor in modern warfare.
Since Lai assumed office, the CCP has intensified its rhetoric against Taiwan separatists, threatening that supporters of Taiwan independence could face the death penalty.
Taiwan observed a record number of 66 Chinese military flights in its airspace on July 10 and 11, with further Chinese military aircraft and vessels detected on Monday.
The Chinese regime’s activity in the Taiwan Strait and airspace has raised concerns about its expansionist intentions.
US Support
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the United States, under the Taiwan Relations Act, supports Taiwan with military equipment for self-defense.
Both Trump and defense experts urge Taiwan to increase its defense spending, with President Lai announcing a significant budget increase for next year.
Taiwan’s defense budget remains a subject of discussion, with some advocating for a doubling of the budget to maintain security in the region.
Reuters contributed to this report.
