Taiwan detects nine Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels around the nation

NEW DELHI: Taiwan’s ministry of national defense (MND) reported on Saturday that nine Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels were observed operating around the nation from 6 am (local time) on Friday to 6 am (local time) on Saturday.

In response to this, Taiwan monitored the situation and deployed combat patrol aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems, as stated by Taiwan’s MND.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s ministry of national defense stated, “9 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

Earlier on Friday, Taiwan’s ministry of national defense (MND) stated that it detected 26 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels operating around the nation from 6 am (local time) on Thursday to 6 am (local time) on Friday.

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Among the 26 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to Taiwan’s MND. Additionally, two Chinese military aircraft were spotted in the northeast sector of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and three others entered the southwest ADIZ.

In response to China’s actions, Taiwan monitored the situation using its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and deployed combat patrol aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based air defense missile systems, according to Taiwan’s MND.

As of May, Taiwan’s MND reported detecting Chinese military aircraft 30 times and naval vessels 16 times, as stated by Taiwan News. Since September 2020, China has escalated its use of “gray zone tactics” by increasing the presence of military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan.

Taiwan’s MND declared on Friday that the country is in the peak period of weapon acquisition to bolster its integrated “kill chain” functionality and deter a potential Chinese attack, according to Taiwan News.

Furthermore, the ministry emphasized its commitment to enhancing the integration of newly acquired weapons with command and control systems to improve “kill chain” functionality and thereby double combat effectiveness.

“Kill chain” refers to a sequence of tactical steps or processes in which weaponry finds, engages, and “kills” targets in military operations.

On April 26, the MND submitted a written report titled “Taiwan’s Latest Defense Military Preparation and Strategic Actions in the Face of the International Warfare Situation” to the Legislative Yuan (parliament) in the country, Taiwan News reported. The report highlighted efforts by the military to share information about the Indo-Pacific with allied countries to construct a regionally integrated deterrence force.

(With inputs from agencies)