TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force’s Tian Long exercise kicked off Monday to sharpen pilot aerial combat skills.

The five-day exercise involves emergency scrambles, identifying targets midair, and launching simulated missile attacks, CNA reported. It also includes dogfights to test missile performance. The exercise verifies pilots can intercept and repel enemy aircraft during real combat situations.

Ground-based air defense units will simultaneously conduct exercises to maintain Taiwan’s air defense network, per Liberty Times.

The exercise comes as the Air Force is strengthening its combat power. It is expecting 10 of the 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets it ordered from the US to be assembled this year. The Air Force and manufacturer Lockheed Martin hold regular reviews about the delivery progress.

The Air Force is also awaiting delivery of three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System batteries. The package includes 123 extended-range AMRAAM missiles with a range of up to 50 km. It will station two representatives in the US to oversee the progress of the shipments. 

The officers will supervise project contracts, coordinate and resolve issues, and manage logistics and spare parts so equipment can be delivered on schedule and to specification. The Air Force plans to buy nine additional NASAMS in the future, including 339 missiles, for NT$110 billion (US$3.57 billion).