Taiwan on Wednesday (August 17) showcased its most advanced fighter jet, the American-made, missile-equipped F-16V, in a rare nighttime demonstration, following China's unprecedented military maneuvers off the coast. from his ribs.
Beijing conducted several days of air and sea exercises in the Taiwan Strait this month, in conjunction with the visit in early August of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, followed two weeks later by that of a Congressional delegation.
"Combat Readiness"
Taiwan made its own maneuvers to simulate defense against an invasion from China.
On Wednesday, an F-16V fighter - an upgraded and much more sophisticated version of other F-16s, which date back to the 1990s - was loaded with an American-made anti-ship missile as part of a "
combat readiness
" exercise. at an air base in Hualien County, in the east of its territory.
Six F-16Vs, including two armed with missiles, subsequently took off for night reconnaissance and training missions, according to the Taiwan Air Force.
"
In the face of the threat of recent military exercises by Chinese communist forces, we have remained vigilant while establishing the concept of
'
battlefields anywhere and training at any time
'
...to ensure national security
" , she explained in a press release.
Modernization
Taiwan lives under the constant threat of military intervention from China, which claims its sovereignty over this island enjoying a democratic regime which it is ready to seize by force if necessary.
Taipei has accused Beijing of using the recent trip by Nancy Pelosi - the highest elected US official to visit in decades - as a pretext to initiate maneuvers that would allow him to hold a rehearsal for the an invasion.
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The island has modernized its aging fighter fleet in recent years amid growing fears of military action by China and constant pressure from more frequent Chinese incursions into its Air Defense Identification Zone (Adiz) .
In November, a first squadron of F-16Vs was deployed by the Taiwanese Air Force.
The deal to deliver such devices was endorsed by then-US President Donald Trump's government, and his successor Joe Biden has maintained similar support in Taipei.
SEE ALSO
- Taiwan: China warns the United States after a new American visit
