TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Army’s Penghu Defense Command conducted nighttime live-fire exercises for the first time on Thursday (Oct. 24).

Officers said the change from previous editions of the Chen Chiang maneuvers (鎮疆操演) was intended to familiarize troops with warfare during the night, CNA reported Friday (Oct. 25).

Drills followed the massive “Joint Sword-2024B” Chinese military exercises surrounding Taiwan on Oct. 14 and more limited drills on Oct. 22 near Niushan Island, just 165 kilometers from Taipei. The Chinese moves met with widespread international condemnation.

Thursday night, the Army rolled out M60A3 tanks, CM-21 armored vehicles, and artillery to strike targets at sea south of Penghu. The exercise was a success despite strong northeasterly winds, the military said.

The simulation of a surprise nighttime attack and attempted landing on Penghu by enemy forces was the main point of the drills. The vehicles and soldiers were equipped with night-vision gear, providing the troops with a realistic way of responding to the environment.

Officers participating in the Chen Chiang maneuvers named the weather as the main problem. Strong winds whipped up sand, creating visibility problems despite the use of night-vision equipment.