PAC-3 missiles deployed in Taipei Zoo carpark ahead of nation-wide military exercise

PAC-3 missile array in Taipei City Taiwan

July 14, 2020July 14, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Hanguang Exercises, Patriot III missile, Taipei City

A Patriot III surface-to-air missile system was deployed in the carpark of Taipei City Zoo in Muzha District today, as part of the nationwide Han Kuang (Hanguang) military exercises. The incongruous scene of a high-tech “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target” air defense missile array set up in a civilian parking lot in a residential area of Taipei City drew the attention of members of the public who took pictures and uploaded them to social media. The missile system

Taiwan Coast Guard rescues marines after boating accident Kaohsiung

Military Affairs

July 5, 2020July 5, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Hanguang Exercises, marine search and rescue, ROC Marines

One of three marines left in a critical condition after an inflatable boat flipped during a drill on June 3 died in the early hours of this morning, June 5. Seven officers and troops of the Marine Corps 99th Brigade, 2nd Battalion were thrown into the water when an inflatable boat overturned in rough seas off the coast of Kaohsiung, Friday. Four of the crew members were injured, with three suffering life-threatening injuries. The marines were participating in landing drills

map of aircraft movements in Bashi Channel and South China Sea

Military Affairs

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Bashi Channel, South China Sea, US Military

A total of 5 US military aircraft were operating over the Bashi Channel, and South China Sea yesterday, June 24, and it is suspected the aircraft were tracking submarine movements, according to reports in Taiwan media, including Liberty Times. The primary source for the media reports is the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), operating out of Peking University’s Institute of Oceanology. SCSPI tweeted details of the aircraft movements late yesterday evening, showing that two P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance

map showing Dongsha (Pratas) Islands in the South China Sea

Military Affairs

June 24, 2020June 25, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Dongsha Islands, Pratas Islands, ROC Marines, South China Sea

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed Monday that marines will be deployed to the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands on a “training mission.” The move comes ahead of Chinese military drills designed to simulate a takeover of the Taiwan-controlled islands, which sit in the South China Sea, around 400 kilometers away from Taiwan’s southernmost point, Cape Eluanbi. Japan’s Kyodo News reported May 12 that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was planning the drills in the South China Sea on an “unprecedented

Breaking News Military Affairs

June 22, 2020June 24, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment indigenous shipbuilding policy, ROC military, ROC Navy, submarines

A retired senior officer of Taiwan’s 256th Submarine Squadron has published a new book discussing probable Chinese PLA Navy tactics to blockade Taiwan’s military and commercial ports in wartime, and questioning choices made in Taiwan’s indigenous submarine building program. Captain Jyh-Perng Wang ( 王志鵬, pinyin: Wang, Zhi-peng), former director of the Taiwan Naval Submarine Team Training Center, and former planning officer in the Strategic Planning Department of the Ministry of Defense, discusses the technology available to the PLA, and the

Military Affairs

June 12, 2020July 3, 2020 Phillip Charlier 4 Comments defense, Taiwan Defense Act, USA-Taiwan

US Senator Josh Hawley (Rep. Missouri) introduced a bill, June 11, to ensure that the US military is able to maintain the ability to defeat China even if it mounts a successful invasion of Taiwan, including an assessment of the use of nuclear forces. The “Taiwan Defense Act” is aimed at denying a “fait accompli” victory by the People’s Republic of China. The fait accompli refers to the possibility of the PRC mounting an invasion of Taiwan using overwhelming military

Taiwan indigenous manufactured advanced trainer jet Brave Eagle

Military Affairs

June 10, 2020June 10, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment air-force, aviation, Brave Eagle, yong-ying

Taiwan’s new combat-capable advanced jet trainer Yong-ying (勇鷹 / Brave Eagle) flew for the first time today, as part of a series of preliminary flight tests ahead of the official first flight, June 22. The test flight at the Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung City this morning attracted military aircraft enthusiasts who gathered outside the fence to snap pictures of the colorful red, white and blue fighter-trainer. The test was the first of a series that will continue

Military Affairs

June 9, 2020June 10, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment PLA, US-navy

A US Navy C-40 transport aircraft flew north to south inland of Taiwan’s west coast this morning, while Chinese Su-30 fighters entered Taiwan’s airspace, causing Taiwan to scramble its own jets in response. A press release by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) confirmed the aircraft movements, denying rumors that the American aircraft had landed briefly at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung City. The US Navy plane had followed standard procedures and had been given permission according to the

Military Affairs

June 7, 2020June 8, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment air-force, aviation

Taiwan’s ROC Air Force will take the new advanced jet trainer Yong-ying (勇鷹 / Brave Eagle) for its first test flight around June 20, according to The Storm Media. Military sources said that the first test flight is planned for the end of June and on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported. Designed and manufactured by the government-funded Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC), the Brave Eagle is designed with combat capabilities, can be

Military Affairs

May 21, 2020May 22, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment cultural heritage, Kinmen, ROC Navy

A ship that began service in World War II, and was recently sold as scrap metal, may be kept as a historical monument after the navy decided to postpone signing a sales contract for one month. [See previous story: Veteran navy ship sold for scrap.] The tank landing ship Chung Hai ( 中海) was decommissioned in 2010 after 65 years of service with the ROC Navy. Since then it has been berthed in the Port of Kaohsiung. During its service

Military Affairs

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Port of Kaohsiung, ROC Navy

A ship that took part in action in World War II as part of the US Navy, and during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958 as part of the ROC Navy, was sold as scrap metal, despite protests from military historians and enthusiasts. The Chung Hai (LST-201) began life as the USS LST-755 tank landing ship in 1944, and was used by the US Navy in two landing operations in the Philippines. After World War II it was sold

Military Affairs

PAC-3 missiles deployed in Taipei Zoo carpark ahead of nation-wide military exercise

One of three critically injured marines dead after boat capsizes

US military aircraft operating south of Taiwan point to possible submarine activity

Taiwan sends marines to reinforce islands ahead of Chinese invasion drills in the South China Sea

Retired submarine officer’s new book criticizes Taiwan’s indigenous submarine building project

US Senator introduces Taiwan Defense Act with nuclear option

Brave Eagle takes off for the first time

US Military plane flies over Taiwan, Chinese fighters enter Taiwan airspace

New Air Force trainer jet to take first flight this month

Historic navy ship sold as scrap iron gets last minute reprieve

Veteran Navy Ship sold for scrap