Taiwan’s president watches live-fire drills with new US-made tanks

HSINCHUIn an effort to strengthen the island’s defenses against Chinese threats, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te observed live-fire exercises Thursday involving American-made Abrams M1A2T tanks.

On the second day of the Han Kuang exercises, which are the longest in history at ten days, four of the tanks shot individually, in pairs, and collectively at a testing area south of Taipei. According to the army, the tanks fire with 100% accuracy at both stationary and moving targets, as well as while moving and stationary.

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For $1.45 billion, Taiwan has agreed to purchase 108 of the newest models of tanks from the United States, enabling it to greatly strengthen fortifications, particularly in the northern portion of the island, which is home to the majority of its high-tech businesses.

With F-16V jet fighters, HIMARS missile defenses, and stealthy unmanned vehicles currently in service, they are a component of extensive improvements to Taiwan’s weaponry and training methods.

Lai stated that extensive, realistic combat drills served as the foundation for this year’s Han Kuang exercises.

The country, society, and people will all be safer when our military is stronger. At the base in Hsinchu County, the president assured troops and reporters that the Indo-Pacific area will be more tranquil and stable once our nation was secure.

China wants to rule Taiwan because it views it as a rebellious colony. The People’s Liberation Army, the military wing of the ruling Communist Party, launches ships, balloons, and armed vessels into the waters close to Taiwan.

As the biggest importer of defensive weapons for Taiwan, the United States is required by law to see threats to the island as a “major concern,” albeit it is purposefully ambiguous as to whether it would send troops to defend against a Chinese invasion.

Along with increasing citizen involvement in national security, Taiwan evacuated a food store on Thursday and relocated patrons to a bomb shelter furnished with medical and other amenities. To prevent a fictitious Chinese air landing operation, tanks were also sent to one of Taiwan’s international airports in the heart of the capital, Taipei.

Beijing has, in typical manner, criticized the war drills as a joke that will not change its resolve to seize the island, whose people strongly oppose joining China.

Earlier this week, Taiwan accused China’s marine militia and coast guard of harassing Taiwanese vessels close to Taiwan-held islands off the Chinese coast, as well as eight Taiwanese businesses it claimed were supporting Taiwan’s defense sector.

In response, Taiwan said the action was exactly in line with the military’s attempts to eliminate any Chinese influence from its supply lines.

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Bodeen covered the story from Taiwan’s Taipei.

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