TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The military launched Patriot missiles and other major weapons Wednesday morning as it began a multi-day joint precision weapons exercise at Jiupeng Military Base in Pingtung County.
The drill is designed to test the military’s long-range precision strike capabilities and the performance of newly acquired missiles, rockets, and attack drones, per Liberty Times. Four major weapon systems took part in the opening phase before dawn.
The opening phase focused on air defense and air-to-air systems, testing unit deployment and command-and-control links. The launches demonstrated the military’s ability to respond rapidly to aerial threats.
The Tien Kung air defense missile system, HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, and land-based Sky Sword II missiles are scheduled to take part in subsequent phases, Liberty Times reported. Coast Guard vessels will also launch Hsiung Feng-series anti-ship missiles as part of the exercise.
The Defense Ministry has invited President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to observe the exercise. The drill is intended to assess the military’s and the Coast Guard’s ability to conduct joint operations during wartime.
