TAIPEI/SUAO, Taiwan – Taiwan tested its air defences in early morning drills on March 26 using surface-to-air missiles, and air, land and naval forces, saying it would continue to intensify training in the face of China’s frequent military activities nearby.

China, which regards the self-governing Taiwan as its territory to be reunified, has in recent years regularly carried out military drills around the island as it seeks to assert its sovereignty claims and pressure Taipei. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

Taiwan’s air force command said in a brief statement that between 5am and 7am, it carried out “overall air defence combat plan exercises” using domestically made Sky Bow and United States-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles in conjunction with aircraft and navy ships.

The drills were “to inspect and verify the joint air defence combat command and control of the three branches”, it said, adding that the outcome was “good”.

“In the face of Chinese aircraft and ships frequently encroaching into Taiwan’s surrounding sea and airspace, the air force will continue to increase its training intensity to deal with potential threats,” the air force said.

Speaking in Suao on Taiwan’s east coast, home to a major navy base, Defence Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said that although there was no direct link between what he called routine annual drills such as these and current tensions, the threat from China was continuing to rise.

“How to increase our overall military capabilities is very important,” he told reporters.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen a military modernisation programme, including the development of new Taiwanese-made equipment.

Much of the focus has been on the navy, which is massively outgunned and outnumbered by China’s fleet.

Ms Tsai on March 26 attended a handover ceremony in Suao for two new warships, both Tuo Chiang-class corvettes, which have been dubbed by Taiwan’s navy as “carrier killers” because of their high manoeuvrability, stealthiness and anti-ship missiles. 

They can also carry Sky Sword anti-aircraft missiles.

Ms Tsai, noting that the two new warships were handed over more than a year ahead of schedule, said the domestically made ships show Taiwan’s determination to protect its freedom and democracy.

“Over the past few years, we have firmly implemented national defence autonomy. Ships made by Taiwan have been named, launched and delivered one after another, faster and faster,” she said. REUTERS