Taiwan to test less robust eastern defences with month-long missile drills
- Live-fire exercises involving air and naval forces will focus on an area less fortified than the island’s west side
- Experts warn that stepped-up PLA deployments in the region could signal a future naval blockade by Beijing
The drills will involve air and naval forces firing air and ship-launched missiles at targets in three restricted zones in waters off the east and southeast coast of the self-ruled island, according to a notice issued by Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency.
The live-fire exercises will be held in five separate sessions from this week until August 31. The agency has warned other aircraft and vessels to avoid the restricted zones at those times.
“The air force will examine the precision firing abilities of its F-16s, Mirage-2005s, and IDF fighter jets which will be equipped with AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles, Mica anti-air multi-target missiles, and Tien Chien-2 (Sky Sword II) beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, respectively,” the source said on condition of anonymity.
03:01
China’s PLA sends dozens of warplanes near Taiwan as island holds annual Han Kuang military drills
“More than 100 missiles are expected to be fired in the drills, with ranges far enough to clear the Taiwan Strait,” the source said.