US, Canadian warships exercise in the South China Sea following Taiwan Strait transit

small boat operations in the South China Sea

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Canada, military exercises, South China Sea, US-navy

Ships from the US and Canadian navies are currently conducting joint exercises in the South China Sea after passing through the Taiwan Strait four days ago, according to a press release by the US Navy. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG114) is operating alongside the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) as part of an exercise dubbed “Noble Wolverine.” The exercise is described as a wide-ranging exercise involving sustained Surface Action Group operations intended to

composite image showing Chinese fighter aircraft and naval vessel

Military Affairs

August 19, 2023August 19, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment China expansionism, Joseph Wu, military exercises, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PLA

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu accused Beijing of trying to interfere with an upcoming national election in Taiwan, after the Chinese military launched military exercises in sea and airspace around the island nation today, August 19. China’s People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command announced the drills on the PLA’s official Weibo account this morning, saying that it was carrying out joint naval and air combat readiness patrols around Taiwan focusing on ship-aircraft coordination to test seizing control of

paramedic attends to injured soldiers at ammunition depot with live mortar rounds still scattered on the ground

Military Affairs

July 24, 2023July 24, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment army, explosion, Han Kuang, Hanguang Exercises, Keelung City

Nine soldiers were injured, two seriously, when a mortar round exploded while being handled at an army ammunition depot in northern Taiwan today, July 24. According to a press statement by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, a 120 mm mortar round exploded during an inspection by technical personnel at the Hsiang Feng army base in Keelung City at around 3:00 pm. Fire Department paramedics risked their own lives to attend to the two seriously injured soldiers, who lay beside several

Russian navy frigate off east coast of Taiwan

Military Affairs

June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment east-coast, navy

Two Russian navy ships were seen just 26 nautical miles from Taiwan’s east coast yesterday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed last night. Fisherman reported seeing the two Russian frigates while working east of Dong’ao in Yilan County yesterday. It is quite rare for Russian ships to appear in the area, especially so close to Taiwan’s 24-mile contiguous zone. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the reports, saying the the ships sailed north to south and left Taiwan’s response area

Military Affairs

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment China expansionism, coast guard, defense, navy, PLA, Taiwan Strait

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is cooperating with the National Coast Guard Administration and National Police Agency to jointly monitor the movements of Chinese commercial car carriers docking in Taiwan, and vehicle ferries operating in and around the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s top military intelligence unit, the National Security Bureau, reported to the Legislative Yuan May 23 on the potential risks of the roll-on/roll-off ships to Taiwan’s security, saying that the MND is cooperating with the coast guard and police to

composite picture showing map of Taiwan and Japanese islands in the Miyako Strait

Military Affairs Regional

May 8, 2023May 8, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Japan, Miyako Strait, Patriot III missile, Yonaguni Island

Japan will deploy Patriot III anti-aircraft missiles on Yonaguni Island, just 111 kilometers from Taiwan’s east coast, purportedly in response to North Korea’s long-range ballistic missiles, according to reports in Japanese media outlets today, Monday, May 8. Major Japanese media outlet Jiji Press reported that Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno announced today that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will deploy Patriot III (PAC-3) anti-aircraft missiles at the Air Self-Defense Miyako Base in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture. In addition, PAC-3 missiles

Military Affairs

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment air-force, UAV

Taiwan’s defense industry is considering converting its aging F-5 fleet into Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) as constant provocations by the Chinese military puts pressure on air force manpower, it was revealed in Taiwan’s legislature today. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng met with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today, May 4, to report on a range of issues, including the Naval and Air Combat Power Enhancement Plan and F-16V(Block 70) procurement progress. Democratic

composite image showing BZK-005 uav and flight path around Taiwan

Military Affairs

May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment China expansionism, drone, ministry of defense, PLA, UAV

The Chinese military flew a drone around Taiwan yesterday, May 2, just six days after it made the first encirclement using a bomber drone on April 27, rapidly escalating the maneuver from unprecedented to “new normal.” According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, a People’s Liberation Army Air Force BZK-005 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flew eastwards from the Chinese coast, crossing the center line of the Taiwan Strait in the north, then passing between Yonaguni Island, Japan, and Taiwan’s east

composite image showing Chinese TB-001 drone and flight path around Taiwan

Military Affairs

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment China expansionism, defense, UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that in the 24 hours up to 6:00 am this morning, April 28, a total of 38 sorties by Chinese military aircraft were recorded in Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, including 19 that crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait, and one that completely encircled Taiwan. A TB-001 UAV flew via the Bashi Channel, south of the island, and traveled north, returning to China via the Miyako Strait in what appears to be

Military Affairs

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment army, Hsinchu City, military exercises, military march, ROC military

Members of Taiwan’s reserve military force embarked on a 10 kilometer march in Hsinchu City today as part of a 14-day refresher training course designed to keep them up to date and physical ready should they be needed for disaster relief or defense of the country. Hsinchu City Mayor Kao Hung-an paid tribute to the soldiers today, expressing gratitude for their service and providing refreshments for the troops. Mayor Kao said that in order to maintain peace and stability across

mobile missile launchers in southern Taiwan

Military Affairs

April 10, 2023April 10, 2023 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment China expansionism, military exercises, ROC Marines, ROC military, ROC Navy

Tourists visiting a popular scenic spot on Hengchun Peninsula in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County today were confronted with a large mobile missile unit deployed in the carpark, as Taiwan’s military responded to Chinese air and sea maneuvers around the island. According to media reports, the anti-ship missiles were deployed at the location yesterday evening, April 9, and in the past have only been deployed on military bases and military training grounds. The fact that the missiles are deployed in such

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Military Affairs

US, Canadian warships exercise in the South China Sea following Taiwan Strait transit

“Hold your own elections, don’t interfere with ours,” foreign minister tells Beijing as Chinese military launches combat drills around Taiwan

Mortar blast at ammunition depot leaves 9 soldiers injured, two seriously

Russian warships appear off Taiwan’s east coast

Taiwan flags Chinese civilian car carriers as threat to national security

Japan deploys Patriot III anti-aircraft missiles on islands close to Taiwan

Taiwan may convert retired fighter jets into drones

“The new normal:” Chinese drone circles Taiwan for second time in a week

New level of threat-posture: Chinese jumbo bomber drone flies around Taiwan for the first time

Military reservists on 14-day refresher training course amid rising threats

Tourist hotspot transformed into missile launch pad as Taiwan counters Chinese military threat