Taiwan conducts live-fire drills ahead of leadership transition

Taiwan's military news agency said on May 10 that Taipei's air defense force conducted exercises as part of a regular training program for pilots "to improve their precision strike capabilities in air combat." The report did not specify when the activity took place.

The fighter jets were equipped with Maverick missiles and laser-guided bombs to attack "land and sea targets" in the area near the Taiwan-administered Penghu Islands, the report said.

Missiles are launched from fighter jets during a drill by Taiwanese forces.

Video released by the news agency shows personnel installing bombs and missiles - marked "US Air Force" - on the underside of the fighter jet's wings. A pilot then launches the missiles from the fighter jet and the video shows the explosion in the waters around Penghu.

News of the Taiwan defense force’s training comes at a sensitive time. On May 20, Taiwan will have a new leader with the inauguration of Lai Ching-te, deputy to outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen. Both Lai and Tsai are members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

US warship passes through Taiwan Strait, Chinese military takes action

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. The Democratic Progressive Party has long rejected Beijing's claims.

Since taking office in 2016, Tsai’s administration has strengthened economic and military ties with the United States, Taiwan’s key partner and major arms supplier. Meanwhile, Beijing has steadily increased pressure on Taipei by sending fighter jets and warships close to the island.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dai-loan-dien-tap-ban-dan-that-truoc-them-chuyen-giao-lanh-dao-185240510200651585.htm