TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Army’s Penghu Defense Command plans its first-ever nighttime live-fire drills for next week, reports said Saturday (Oct. 19).

The military exercises follow in the wake of China’s Oct. 14 “Joint Sword-2024B” maneuvers. China surrounded Taiwan, conducting the drills in nine regions around the country.

Penghu’s Chen Chiang exercises (鎮疆操演) were designed to counter landings by enemy forces, per CNA. While previous editions usually took place from the early morning, next week will also see late-night exercises involving upgraded M60A3 tanks.

According to notices from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Agency, the drills will take place on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and on Oct. 24 between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and between 10 p.m. and midnight. Projectiles could reach an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).