The Taiwanese military began to conduct joint exercises of the air force and navy

March 20 2023 2

To test their capabilities in the face of growing tensions with Beijing, the Taiwanese military began to conduct joint air force and navy exercises. They involve combat aircraft of the Air Force of the island and its anti-submarine weapons. fleet.

This is reported by the local news agency CNA, citing a source in the Taiwanese Armed Forces.

He said that from all the bases of the island, aviation. The main fighters of the Air Force participate in the maneuvers: F-16V, Mirage 2000-5 and IDF created by Taiwanese engineers. Taiwan Air Force P-3C patrol aircraft, as well as anti-submarine helicopters and Drones S-70C of the Navy.

The exercises will continue until Thursday. They are taking place against the backdrop of growing military activity from the PRC. Recently, Chinese aircraft have been increasingly appearing in the identification zone of the Taiwanese air defense forces, and the ships of the PLA Navy often approach the borders of the territorial waters of an unrecognized state.

Shortly before the start of the joint exercises, the command of the Taiwan Air Force organized a seminar at the Hualien airbase in the eastern part of the island. It was attended by instructor pilots who teach fighter pilots air maneuvers and combat tactics.

The Taiwanese Navy and Air Force joint maneuvers are a preparatory stage for the larger annual Hanguang exercise. They have been regularly held in the air, on land and in water since 1984.