Taiwan Launches Realistic Military Drills amid China Tensions

Taiwan will launch a five-day combat readiness exercise this week to test the military's ability to respond to a sudden deterioration in the security situation.

The ministry of defense said the maneuvers will involve live troops and equipment and will be conducted under conditions as close as possible to a real conflict.

The exercise is part of a broader modernization of the armed forces and reflects growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Taipei is increasingly operating under the assumption that routine Chinese military exercises could turn into an attack without warning.

The announcement came amid further Chinese military activity around the island, with Taiwan reporting the deployment of 21 Chinese aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and early-warning aircraft.

The goal of the Taiwanese maneuvers is to improve command coordination and logistical support, and to strengthen the ability to rapidly transition from peacetime to wartime operations.

(Reuters, MJA)