Chinese military mounts live-fire test of new anti-tank missile in ‘Taiwan drill’
- Analyst says Bohai Bay exercise aimed at Taiwan and its plans to buy dozens of American main battle tanks
- Chinese president calls on marine corps to be combat ready and on alert
A rocket brigade from the Northern Theatre Command launched the live-fire test – the first for a wheeled vehicle-mounted anti-tank missile that entered service this year – from the Bohai Bay area “recently”, PLA Daily reported on Tuesday.
The report did not say which missile was fired but Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said the missile could have been the HJ-10 – or Red Arrow-10 – vehicle-loaded guided missile system, which could be used against US-made M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks.
“The PLA realised that warnings alone are useless against Taiwan’s independence-leaning forces, so they are now stepping up drills for island seizure to show that the mainland is well prepared to take back the island at any time.”
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Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visits military base following ‘provocations’ from mainland China
Mainland China has stepped up military drills against Taiwan in recent months, saying the exercises are needed to deter independence-leaning forces on the island.
