Taipei wakes to warplanes overhead as military drill simulates PLA attack

Units from across the island were put to the test in the exercise and their responses were ‘normal’, defence ministry says

A survival handbook was also released telling citizens where to find refuge, supplies and help in the event of a bombardment

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Warplanes involved in the drill over Taipei included US-made F-16 fighter jets, according to military officials. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00pm, 12 Apr 2022

Taiwan’s military sent warplanes into the island’s capital early on Tuesday in a drill simulating an air attack by the People’s Liberation Army, while a survival handbook was released telling citizens what to do in the event of a bombardment.

It comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted the self-ruled island to look at how well prepared it is for a potential attack from mainland China. Beijing – which claims Taiwan as part of its territory – has not ruled out the use of force to take the island under its control and has heaped pressure on President Tsai Ing-wen in a bid to push her to agree to unification talks.

People in Taipei were startled by Tuesday’s exercise, as warplanes roared overhead from 5am to 7am without warning – with some even fearing a PLA attack was under way since military aircraft are usually only ever seen in the city during parades and special events.

Defence ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang later told reporters that it was a test of “anti-air combat operation command and troop deployments of joint forces military zones, naval fleets, major air and seaports, bases and field units”.

He said the responses from all of the military units involved in the drill were “normal”.

Warplanes sent to test the responses of those units in Taipei included US-made F-16 fighter jets and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, as well as F-CK-1 Ching Kuo Indigenous Defence Fighters, according to military officials.

They said other units from across Taiwan – including missile bastions, airbases and naval ports – were also tested in the exercise, which was held in the early morning to avoid disrupting civilian flights.