Politics Conflict with China: Taiwan tests missiles for air defense
To deter the Chinese army, Taiwan has tested missiles in the south of the democratically governed island republic. During the annual exercise at a military base in Pingtung County, the army tested two US-made Patriot II anti-aircraft missiles and a Taiwanese-made Sky Bow III surface-to-air missile defense system, according to Taiwan's state news agency CNA. All of the missiles hit the targeted drones.
20.08.2024, 08:10
SDA
China counts Taiwan as part of its territory, although a democratically elected government has been in power in the country with a population of more than 23 million for decades. In the Taiwan Strait, the strait between the two countries, China's military regularly demonstrates its power with fighter jets and warships and threatens to use military means to bind Taiwan to the mainland if peaceful means do not work.
With the exercise, Taiwan now also wants to demonstrate its ability to defend sea and land areas. According to CNA, it was the first missile exercise of its kind since President Lai Ching-te took office in May under criticism from powerful neighbor China. The communist leadership in Beijing accuses the head of state and thus commander-in-chief of the armed forces of separatism because his Democratic Progressive Party is in favor of independence for the island republic.
The exercise was an air defense scenario to simulate the interception of drones with the aforementioned missiles, said Colonel Kao Shu-li at the military base in southern Taiwan. In the east of the island, a frigate also practiced shooting down a drone at sea with an anti-aircraft missile, according to CNA.
