Taiwan began its annual military exercises last night aimed at countering growing threats from China, including so-called “gray zone tactics“, which do not constitute open war but aim to destabilize. This is reported by world agencies, BTA reports.
This year's live-fire exercises have been announced as the longest to date and are being held in conditions of heightened tension in the region. Their aim is to test the island's ability to defend itself in the event of a military conflict with China. The exercises follow the delivery of new weapons, including tanks, naval drones and missile systems.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory, but most Taiwanese support full independence or maintaining its current status of de facto self-rule, the Associated Press reported.
The exercises began with simulations of repelling Chinese coast guard ships that Taiwan says are harassing Taiwanese vessels near disputed islands. The scenarios also include defending against landing forces on an island about 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the Chinese coast.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said the exercises involve soldiers from all branches of the military, as well as 22,000 reservists. They will use recently delivered M1A2T Abrams tanks and HIMARS missile systems from the United States. Analysts say that in light of the lessons of the war in Ukraine, more and more attention should be paid to protecting tanks from drones, Reuters notes.
Taiwanese President Lai Chin-te said that through “realistic combat training“ the M1A2T tank will be integrated with drones and innovative tactics to fulfill the country's strategic goals more effectively.
In response to the exercises, China's Ministry of Defense said last night that Taiwan's actions were nothing more than “a bluff“.