Anxiety After Taiwan Fires Missiles

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

TAIPEI (Worthy News) – Anxiety remained Wednesday after Taiwan conducted live-fire missile drills in response to growing military pressure from Communist-ruled China.

At Tuesday’s exercises, Taiwanese armed forces showcased their missile capabilities at a sensitive test site south of the island.

Surface-to-air missiles, including U.S.-made Patriot PAC II and Taiwan’s Sky Bow III, were launched in front of reporters as the media was welcomed for the first time since 2012.

Reporters watched the exercises in waters off the southeastern coast and at a base in Jiupeng in the southernmost county of Pingtung. The base is a weapon research and development and testing site.

According to local media, the island’s air force launched at least three land-based surface-to-air missiles. Two were U.S.-made Patriot PAC-2s, while the other was an indigenously developed Sky Bow 3. Reports said all the missiles successfully hit target drones.

However, experts say Patriot’s radar systems, which have a range of over 93 miles (149 kilometers) and can track 100 targets in the air, are high on Kyiv’s wish list.

The flight ceiling for its missiles, or interceptors, is about 12 miles(19 kilometers). A Patriot system can also provide area coverage and defense for about 9 to 12 miles (19.2 kilometers) against incoming ballistic missiles.

NO WORDS

These are words no first the prime minister. Drills have existed, drills since Lai Ching-te began.

Earlier this month, Lai announced a record-high defense budget of about $20 billion for next year, representing a record 6 percent increase.

Taiwan’s defense budget is currently 2.5 percent of Taiwan’s Gross Domestic Product, U.S. military watchdogs can.

Some U.S. experts, including former national security adviser Robert O’Brien, have suggested increasing the amount to 5 percent.

However, Taiwan has raised concerns over Chinese military activity in recent years.

It comes as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims, and Taipei has strengthened its deterrence capabilities.

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