Latest news with #HighMobilityArtilleryRocketSystems
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Taiwan says it is determined to defend itself as China vows to boost combat readiness
The People's Liberation Army said it will enhance combat readiness to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. PHOTO: REUTERS Taiwan says it is determined to defend itself as China vows to boost combat readiness - Taiwan is determined to defend itself and protect its free way of life, the island's defence minister said on June 26, after discussing July's annual exercises, as China's military vowed to boost combat readiness to stop 'separatist' activities. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up its military threats over the past five years, staging several rounds of war games and sending its forces into the skies and waters near the island on a daily basis. Speaking to a committee set up by President Lai Ching-te to boost resilience in the face of a possible Chinese attack, Defence Minister Wellington Koo outlined Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises which start in July. The military drills will begin with rehearsals to counter potential 'high-intensity grey zone incursions' from China evolving into an assault, and Taiwan's armed forces will practice repelling a Chinese landing, Mr Koo said. New High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or Himars, made by Lockheed Martin, will be used at Han Kuang for the first time, along with Taiwan-developed Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles, he added. The drills will 'let the international community know that we are determined to defend ourselves, and to pass on to China that the nation's military has the confidence and ability to defend a free and democratic life', Mr Koo said. Earlier on June 26, the defence ministry reported that China had held another 'joint combat readiness patrol' involving warships and 21 military aircraft around Taiwan, including Su-30 fighters. China labels Mr Lai a 'separatist' and its government has expressed further anger after he gave two speeches this week saying that Taiwan has its own sovereignty and China has no historical or legal basis for claiming it. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Mr Lai's distortion of history and 'evil doctrine' had 'fully exposed his sinister intention of provoking and escalating cross-Taiwan Strait confrontation'. 'The People's Liberation Army will not tolerate the separatist acts of Taiwan independence, will continue to strengthen its military training and combat preparedness, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,' he told a regular news conference. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control, and any attack on Taiwan could ignite a broader regional war. Taiwan strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and says it is up to the island's people to decide their future. The last Chinese war games in April and October were portrayed in part by Beijing as a test of a possible blockade of Taiwan. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taiwan says it is determined to defend itself as China vows to boost combat readiness
By Yimou Lee and Laurie Chen TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) -Taiwan is determined to defend itself and protect its free way of life, the island's defence minister said on Thursday discussing next month's annual exercises, as China's military vowed to boost combat readiness to stop "separatist" activities. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up its military threats over the past five years, staging several rounds of war games and sending its forces into the skies and waters near the island on a daily basis. Speaking to a committee set up by President Lai Ching-te to boost resilience in the face of a possible Chinese attack, Defence Minister Wellington Koo outlined Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises which start next month. The military drills will begin with rehearsals to counter potential "high-intensity grey zone incursions" from China evolving into an assault, and Taiwan's armed forces will practice repelling a Chinese landing, Koo said. New High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, made by Lockheed Martin, will be used at Han Kuang for the first time, along with Taiwan-developed Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles, he added. The drills will "let the international community know that we are determined to defend ourselves, and to pass on to China that the nation's military has the confidence and ability to defend a free and democratic life", Koo said. Earlier on Thursday, the defence ministry reported that China had held another "joint combat readiness patrol" involving warships and 21 military aircraft around Taiwan, including Su-30 fighters. China labels Lai a "separatist" and its government has expressed further anger after he gave two speeches this week saying that Taiwan has its own sovereignty and China has no historical or legal basis for claiming it. Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said Lai's distortion of history and "evil doctrine" had "fully exposed his sinister intention of provoking and escalating cross-Taiwan Strait confrontation". "The People's Liberation Army will not tolerate the separatist acts of Taiwan independence, will continue to strengthen its military training and combat preparedness, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he told a regular news conference. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control, and any attack on Taiwan could ignite a broader regional war. Lai and his government strongly object to China's sovereignty claims, saying it is up to the island's people to decide their future. The last Chinese war games in April and October were portrayed in part by Beijing as a test of a possible blockade of Taiwan.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Taiwan holds first live-fire of U.S. high-tech rocket systems
Taiwan conducted Monday (May 13, 2025) its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying U.S. military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing. The first batch of 11 HIMARS were delivered to Taiwan in November. The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and has been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict. AFP journalists watched Monday as Taiwan's Army launched rockets from the HIMARS at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County. Colonel Ho Chih-chung told reporters that U.S. technical personnel were present during the live-fire and helped to resolve a "signal error" during the first round when the three launchers failed to fire simultaneously. "We believe this exercise provides an opportunity to enhance our troubleshooting capabilities, allowing us to better demonstrate realistic combat readiness in the event of war," Ho said. Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favour of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier. In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taiwan test fires for first time new US-supplied HIMARS rocket system
By Ann Wang and Annabelle Chih JIUPENG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan on Monday test-fired for the first time a new U.S.-supplied rocket system that has been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and could be deployed to hit targets in China if there is a war with Taiwan. The United States is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan has bought 29 of Lockheed Martin's precision weapon High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with the first batch of 11 received last year and the rest set to arrive by next year. With a range of about 300 km (186 miles), they could hit coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian, on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the event of conflict. The U.S.-trained Taiwan military team fired the rockets from the Jiupeng test centre on a remote part of the Pacific coast. Officer Ho Hsiang-yih told reporters U.S. personnel from the manufacturer were at the site to tackle any problems. "I believe that this rocket firing shows our people the military's determination to protect the country's security and safeguard our beautiful homeland," he added. HIMARS, one of Ukraine's main strike systems, has been used multiple times during the war with Russia. In March, Australia said it had received the first two of 42 HIMARS launcher vehicles. The test came a day after Taiwan said it had detected another "joint combat readiness patrol" by China's military near the island, involving warplanes and warships. Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Taiwan test fires new US-supplied HIMARS rocket system for first time
Taiwan on Monday test-fired for the first time a new US-supplied rocket system that has been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and could be deployed to hit targets in China if there is a war with Taiwan. The US is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan has bought 29 of Lockheed Martin's precision weapon High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with the first batch of 11 received last year and the rest set to arrive by next year. With a range of about 300km, they could hit coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian, on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the event of conflict. The US-trained Taiwan military team fired the rockets from the Jiupeng test centre on a remote part of the Pacific coast.
