Massive war games to concern china?

ILAN, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan staged its biggest live-fire army drills in about 20 years on Thursday, showcasing latest weaponry designed to combat a potential Chinese attack as Beijing builds its military might.

More than 13,000 soldiers took part in the exercise, which saw U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets screaming across the sky and tanks firing from a beach at targets floating on the sea.

Paratroopers posing as Chinese communist soldiers floated to the ground, simulating an airborne assault against key installations on the island.

"Across the Strait, China has always been the biggest national security threat to the Republic of China, Taiwan, for the past half a century," said the island's independence-leaning president, Chen Shui-bian.

"Global military strategies are ever-changing with recent heightened tensions along the Korean peninsula," he said, adding that boosting Taiwan's defense would ensure peace and stability along the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.

The annual Han Kuang -- or Chinese Glory -- exercises are designed to counter an invasion by China, which views self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a wayward province that has to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

China's cabinet-level Taiwan Affairs Office had no immediate comment.

SHIFTING MILITARY BALANCE

Thursday's exercise featured more than 550 pieces of artillery, including nearly 40 types of aircraft, warships, tanks and canons, the Defense Ministry said.

The ministry had splashed flashy advertisements on television in the days ahead of the exercise, part of an ongoing publicity effort to stress the need for bolstering the island's defenses.

Taiwan's defense officials said in February Taiwan planned to raise its annual military spending -- around T$240 billion (US$7.3 billion), or 2.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2006 -- to 2.85 percent of GDP in 2007 and 3 percent in 2008.

The plan came as opposition legislators repeatedly blocked a special budget to buy U.S. arms, even though the package was cut from US$18 billion to US$11 billion, and again to US$9 billion.

Chen said this week China had 820 missiles aimed at Taiwan, giving the island of 23 million people more reason to boost its military defenses.

Taiwan and China have faced off since 1949 when defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island after losing a civil war to the Communists.

The military balance in the Taiwan Strait is now shifting in China's favor because the Asian giant has been pumping up defense amid concern that Taiwan will declare independence, analysts say.

The United States, obliged by its Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself, has repeatedly urged China to explain its military build-up, worried it will alter the balance of regional power.

China's defense expenditure was officially about US$30 billion in 2005, up 12.6 percent from the previous year, but many foreign experts believe the real figure is significantly higher.

This was all over the local (Taiwanese) news for the past few days... didn't really bother mentioning it because the official exercise hasn't actually started yet, just a rehearsal (with live arms).

But since it's on the board, I'll add supplemental docs in Chinese. I'll translate them later on when I have more time... unless someone else is interested.

(First article basically says Mirage 2000 flares work as advertised)

漢光22號／還沒打就報銷　預演紅色無人靶機墜毀
記者張崇賓、蔡清文／宜蘭報導 2006-07-17 13:26

漢光22號演習最後一次預演的第二階段反機降操演，17日上午在宜蘭縣政府展開，除模擬共軍傘兵首度空降蘭陽平原之外，國軍也以攻擊直升機、裝甲部隊反制，只是演習中不少民眾就在陣地旁看熱鬧，甚至還騎著腳踏車「慢速」前進，讓逼真度大打折扣。此外，演習開始沒多久，第一架升空的紅色無人靶機才升空不久就墜毀在蘇澳無尾港的叢林，所幸沒有造成人員傷亡。

The 2nd stage of the last rehearsal for the HK22 exercise proceeded on the morning of the 17th in Ilan. In addition to simulated PLA paratroopers landing at the Yangping grasslands, the Army also simulated a counter-attack with attack helicopters and armor. However, the fact that there were quite a few civilians there to see the show, sometimes keeping up with the tanks on their bicycles did cut down on the realism factor a bit. Also, shortly after the exercise started, a Red unmanned target drone crashed in the forest near Su-aoh port, thanksfully no one was hurt.

今天上午的預演可說軍容壯大，可是預演沒多久，第一架由蘇澳升空的靶機飛過無尾港岳明國小上空，因為機頭拉不起而墜毀在無尾港的樹林裡面，所幸沒有人員受傷。據了解，3年前的漢光19號時，這種委由漢翔公司製造的無人靶機就因為機身被畫了一個豬頭，還寫上一個扁字，被外界說是豬頭扁機，後來軍方表示靶機上原本 就繪有「卡通豬」的「吉祥物」，絕非是故意畫上去的，沒想到這次預演還是又出狀況。

除了利澤海邊實彈射擊，在宜蘭市區廢棄的南機場，軍方也舉行反空降的實兵演習，500名空降部隊分成高地空跳傘，場面相當壯觀。陸軍直昇機出海進行低空炸射，防範敵人登陸的艦艇，對於海上醒目的靶標以火箭炮等一一擊破。為了使演習更逼真，前往利澤的公路沿線與重要橋梁，工兵堆好沙包做成掩體，掩體裏擺著機槍。

In addition to live-fire exercises at the coast of Li-zhe, at the southern abandoned airfield of Ilan, the army conducted a massive airdrop exercises, consisting of 500 paratroopers. Helicopters headed out to sea to strafe targets, to defend against invading sea vessels, destroying all visible targets with rockets. To add to the realism, several important roads and rbridges near the exercise were reinforced with sandbags and machine gun nests.

此外，有鑒於一旦發生戰爭，可能會有小股敵軍成功登陸或空降，並且進行破壞，所以這次軍方也規劃可能發生的狀況，動員警方與消防單位投入軍演範圍，就共軍登陸後可能攻擊的據點、引起的火災等災難，進行全面掌控處理。

As is inevitable in case of a conflict, there is a high chance that small numbers of enemy troops will succesfully land on the beaches or airdrop, sabatoging important placements. The police and firefighters were involved in the exercises, and the exercise simulated fires in several places where the PLA would be likely to strike.

漢光22號演習將在7月20日於蘇澳利澤簡海灘地區正式展開。利澤簡沙灘是指蘇澳港北方，新城溪以北、冬山河及蘭陽溪以南的沖積沙岸，這次漢光演習的具體假想也是與以往演習一樣，設定在海灘地區執行防衛作戰。

The HK22 exercise will officially start on July 20th at the Su-Aoh beach. The exercises will primarily simulate the defense against an amphibious landing.

屆時，空軍將會先出動以爭奪制空權作戰，F-5E戰機以施放熱焰彈的方式，導引幻象戰機發射導彈；緊接著是空對地攻擊，也就是戰機以火箭、機炮、導彈來攻擊地面或水面目標，現場進行此項操練的是F-16戰機。海軍今年演練的重點部分，則是透過以實彈射擊的方式來驗證新式雄風導彈的性能，而在海上擔任靶艦的是3艘除役的陽字號靶艦。

The Air force will simulate a fight for air superiority, F-5Es will deploy flares guiding Mirages to fire missiles; afterwards there will be air to ground attacks, with fighters using rockets, machine guns, and guided missiles to attack land or sea based targets, the primary aircraft being the F-16. A very important part of this year's exercise for the navy is the live firing and evaluation of the new Hsiung-Feng guided missiles, the 3 targets will be 3 decomissioned Yang-Zi cruisers.

最後是陸軍部隊的操演。在反登陸作戰方面，主要是以M110自行火炮、大口徑火炮與多管火箭射擊為主，擔任第一波的反登陸作戰火力掩護；接著是空騎旅的AH -1攻擊直升機以及OH-58D戰搜直升機登場，用空對地導彈、無導引火箭與機炮射擊海面目標；此外，沙灘上還有戰車，將炮管對準外海射擊來襲艦艇，如果還是無法禦敵，遍佈沙灘的各種防禦工事與障礙物將可有效遲滯敵人，並由交叉火力殲滅來襲敵人。

Last but not least is the Army's part in all of this. The amphibious defense will mainly consist of M110 self-propelled guns, large calibre cannons and rockets as the first line of defense, next are AH-1 attack helicopters of the Air Cavalry divisions as well as OH-58D search and rescue helicopters, using Air to ground missiles, unguided rockets and machine guns. In addition, there will be tanks shooting at ships off shore, if those defenses are breached then the defenses scattered about the defenses will help slow down the enemy in a crossfire.








A on the spot trench being called "for show".

趕挖六百米壕溝 被批作秀

全台最大
為使漢光二十二號演習場面逼近實戰，演習指揮官雷光旦中將下令部隊在利澤簡觀禮台北側五十公尺海灘，挖出國軍有史以來演習最長、最大的壕溝阻絕陣地，架設五十五挺機槍，在灘岸戰鬥階段，可對海上目標發動槍林彈雨的攻擊，五結鄉公所希望演習結束後能當全民國防參觀的景點。

To increase the realism of the HK22 war games, General Lei Guang ordered the army to dig the longest trench in the history of this army 50 meters inshore, reinforced with 55 machine guns, capable of complete coverage of the beach.

雷光旦在漢光演習的強勢戰術作為，被軍方人士認為有和去年「同心十七號」演習時後備司令余連發上將在苗栗大安海灘挖一、兩百公尺的壕溝陣地，互別苗頭的意味，陸軍六軍團政戰主任王明我少將說：「六軍團演習不是只作秀，而是寓訓練於教育。」

Though there has been some criticism of General Lei-Kuang's decision to dig the trench (similiar to last year's Tong-Shin 17 exercise's 200 meter trench near Miaoli), his response was, "The combined exercise for all 6 military branches is not just for show, it's useful training."

五千人施工三周
六軍團動員所屬五三工兵群和蘭陽指揮部九○一旅官兵共五千多人，以三周時間挖出這南北長六百公尺、距海岸縱深二十五公尺的壕溝陣地，共用了三十萬個沙包，設置十二座五○機槍、九座排用機槍、十二座班用機槍、二十二座連發縱火槍及八座狙擊手陣地，加上消波塊、鋼刺蝟、鐵絲網等阻絕設施。記者黃敬平

The 53rd Engineering Division of the 6th Army consisting of 5000 people took 3 weeks to dig the north-south spanning trench of 600 meters, in all using 300,000 sandbags, 12 Type 50 Machine guns, 9 platoon machine guns, 12 fire team machine guns, 22 fire igniting(?) guns as well as 8 sniper nests, in addition to various other obstacles.





漢光演習今開打 電子戰反制窺伺
吳明杰／宜蘭報導 2006-07-20 03:50

Electronic war simulated in HK22 exercise

「漢光二十二號演習」火力展示今天上午九點將在宜蘭利澤簡海灘正式開打。

三年前「漢光十九號演習」曾有共軍電偵機和疑似日本的偵蒐船在釣魚台海域對我進行電偵，我方還一度為此暫停試射雲母飛彈，不過這次演習，我軍方已預先啟動電子戰防護，將對敵軍的電子偵蒐進行反制，預料今天也會有共軍電偵機在沿海出現，在漢光演習看得到的萬彈齊發畫面之外，兩岸可能還將進行一場看不見的電子偵蒐和干擾大戰。

3 years ago in the HK22 war games, PLA (spies) masqueraded(?) as Japanese fishing boats, conducting in electronical spying, this resulted in the Army postponing the test firing of the Yunmu missile, however in this exercise our military has pre-emptively set up a defensive electronic perimeter to repel enemy intelligence gathering. Besides the images you see on television, this year there may be an invisible war of intelligence, jamming, and disruption.

由於我方今年有電子反制作為，因此預定試射的愛國者二型飛彈、魚叉飛彈和雄風二型飛彈等，都將照計畫試射，軍方有把握相關參數不會外洩。

Because the miltary has confidence in our electronic defense, PAC-2 Patriot missiles, Yucha (Fish Fork?) missiles, and Hsieng-Feng 2 missiles will be tested as acording to plan, without danger of revealing valuable information.

另據了解，今年為讓包括陳水扁總統在內受邀參觀人士感受戰爭時的震撼臨場感，國防部長李傑特別下令將所有看台遮陽棚拆光以避免擋住視線，不過因為天氣炎熱，為避免近來受家事困擾而瘦了一圈的陳總統抵擋不了烈日曝曬，特勤單位也準備好了醫療措施，這也是陳總統首次「露天」校閱漢光演習。

據透露，軍方原循往例已在參觀台架好遮陽棚，但經李傑日前預校演習時發現，遮陽棚不僅嚴重影響參觀視線，也會讓陸軍安排由攻擊直昇機從參觀台上方低空呼嘯而過震撼感大打折扣，因此李傑臨時下令將遮陽棚拆除，除讓現場來賓更能感受戰火的洗禮，同時也讓大家和操演士兵一樣，實際體驗在三十二度高溫下作戰的感覺。

今天演習將依序進行聯合防空、聯合截擊、聯合泊地攻擊和空中校閱等科目進行三軍火力展示，接續進行反高空滲透、反空降、反機降作戰和反機降掃蕩，主要目的在驗證國軍應急戰備能力，並因應敵軍可能對台採取的斬首威懾和癱瘓迫談的策略。

其中在宜蘭縣政府和縣議會的空降場景，將模擬共軍空降總統府準備進行斬首行動，並由國軍進行反空降作戰，由特戰部隊迅速瓦解共軍斬首行動。

Of particular note is a simulated "beheading" assault by PLA paratroopers at the Presidential residence.

Dang Ute, you beat me to the story!... ..I wuz gonna start this thread..

It seems to me that the PLA is being give a full look at the military it may face if there were some sort of confrontation with Tiawain. First it was the US excersise Valiant Sheild that the highercy of the PLA was allowed to witness. Second a PLA general is in the US making a visit to various bases. He even dropped in on Rummy!..Now Tiawain is conducting this excersise. Oh let's not forget the RIMPAC excersise on going right now. And the east coast USN CVN "Enterprise" has been temporaily moved to the Pacific...Makes me think .....Does it make the PRC think? Maybe and maybe not. But they can't help but to notice all these excersises...In the ROC case I think they are just "posturing" for the PRC. You know just trying to show their best hand..

One thing in the article it says that ROC troops were acting as PLA paratroopers. Just how many paratroopers does the PLA have? I thought they were limited in this type of invasion.

Hey Zerling ..I'd like a translation of that article...Thanks..

Tomorrow's my last day at the English Bushiban, so I'll probably be able to translate all the articles by tomorrow night. (I translated the first article, by the way)

Another batch of articles...

A TOW missile went dumb and hit the water just 100m from the viewing stand where the Commander-in-Chief President Chen was... very embarassing.

漢光22號／聯戰火力魚叉反艦搶鋒頭　拖式飛彈震動觀禮台
記者王宗銘／宜蘭報導 2006-07-20 19:34

國軍「漢光22號」演習20日在宜蘭展開最後階段的「國土防衛作戰演練」與「城鄉守備戰鬥訓練」實兵驗證，在火力展示方面，國軍今年共計出動37類 554項武器裝備，雖然絕大部分愛國者飛彈、魚叉飛彈、雄風二型飛彈、雷霆2000火箭等多種飛彈火砲均精準命中，不過還是發生一些脫靶意外，其中一顆拖式飛彈意外掉在觀禮台前方不遠海面，距離百餘公尺，巨大的聲響與硝煙讓不少來賓在第一時間嚇了一跳，但是主持典禮的陳水扁總統並未明顯受到影響，而有任何脫稿演出。

The military's "HK22" exercise on the 20th of July in Ilan conducted the last stage, "Defense of the nation" and "City defense training", results indicating that firepower wise, the military deployed 37 types of weaponary, 554 in all. (?)

Although the majority of the Patriot, Yucha, Hsieng-Fung, Leiting 2000 and various other weaponary hit their targets succesfully, there were still several failed launches including an incident when a TOW missile accidently landed in the ocean witin 100 meteres of the viewers area where President Chen was watching.

今天上午的演習由陳水扁總統主持，呂秀蓮副總統、行政院長蘇貞昌、國安會秘書長邱義仁、國防部長李傑、參謀總長李天羽，以及三軍司令等高階將領，均在觀禮台視察演習情形。

漢光演習「國土防衛作戰演練」實兵驗證上午8時50分在宜蘭縣五結鄉利澤簡海邊展開，首先進行聯合防空演練；首先由龍洞砲兵陣地發射天弓飛彈模擬敵方來襲導彈，空軍防空砲兵司令部防空631愛國者飛彈營發射二枚愛國者二型飛彈進行攔截，這是國內第一次公開試射該型飛彈，二枚均精準命中來襲敵彈。

HK22 "Defense of the Nation" live fire exercise started at 8:50, located at the Li-Zhe beach in Ilan. The show opened with an air raid simulation; Longdong (Dragon Hole?) artillery fired Tien-Kung missiles to simulate enemy ballistic missiles, The Air Force's 631st Patriot Missile division fired 2 PAC-2 missiles to intercept, this was the first time the ROC tested the missiles, both hit the targets succesfully.

接著由空軍防空砲兵司令部繼續發射4枚鷹式飛彈攻擊進犯敵機，同樣也精準命中靶機。

緊接著由海軍艦隊指揮部戰術編行的濟陽級的933鳳陽艦進行防空演練，接獲空軍聯合作戰指揮中心攻擊命令後，發射一枚標準一型飛彈，精確命中模擬來犯敵機。該艦是第一艘換裝武進三型系統，加裝10枚標準一型飛彈的同型軍艦，具備防空與反飛彈作戰能力。

Missile Command fired 4 "Eagle" SAMs, intercepting the target drones succesfully.

Shortly after the Navy's Chiyang-class and 933 Phoenix class cruisers conducted anti-air action, in communication and cooperation with the Air Force, fired a "Standard Type 1(?)" missile, hitting a target drone simulating a PLAAF fighter.

接下來是由F5戰機模擬敵機施放照明彈，模擬遭鎖定追蹤的敵機紅外線熱源，2架經國號戰機升空攔截，發射二枚由中科院研發的空對空紅外線導引天劍一型飛彈，集中假想目標。

After that F-5 fighters simulating enemy fighters dropped multiple flares over the battleground, whereas the Air Force scrambled 2 F-CK-1s to intercept, firing 2 (simulated) indigeniously developed heat seaking TK-1 missiles, succesfully "hitting" the targets.

在下一波攻擊中，同樣也由F5戰機施放照明彈作為假想敵機目標，二架經國號戰機預定以二枚響尾蛇飛彈攔截，一枚命中，另一枚則是因為附近有靶機出沒，機身反射光考量，最後並未發射飛彈。

In the next wave, another group of F-5s again simulated enemy fighters, 2 F-CK-1s were originally posed to intercept with Sidewinders, 1 "hit" the target, whereas the other launch was cancelled due to the proximity of a target drone in the area.

演習接下來進入聯合截擊階段，首先是由海軍瀋陽軍艦聯合F16戰機對海面上陽字號靶船進行海空偕同水面飽和攻擊，驗證魚叉飛彈攻船效能課目，其中第一號靶船自艦首被濟陽級軍艦發射艦射魚叉飛彈自靶船右舷穿入經船體後由左舷射出，而空軍F16戰機也射擊空射魚叉飛彈自靶船左舷穿入，經船體後由右舷射出。

After that was a coordinated exercise by the different branches of the military, starting off with the Navy's Shenyang fleet combined with F-16 fighters engaging Yangzi-class target ships, succesfully testing the Yu-Cha missiles.

整波攻擊的戰場監偵，今年特別由中科院研發的無人飛行載具中翔號，傳回第一手現場畫面，以便對攻擊成果進行判讀。因此雖然現場原公佈有一發魚叉飛彈未命中靶艦，但經海軍艦令部以現場照片判定，兩枚魚叉飛彈均命中目標。

The entire exercise was recorded by a Indigeniously developed unmanned Jong-Shiang drone, although at first it appeared that one of the Yu-Cha missiles missed the target ship, after careful examination of post-mortem photos, it was confirmed both had hit.

同樣負責戰場監偵的無人飛行載具天隼號，也傳回敵軍目標訊號，由指揮部派遣F-16戰機以小牛飛彈展開多波遠距精準攻擊，也精確命中靶船水線下船體。

Similarly in another area a unmanned Tien-Ji drone transmitted information about simulated enemy coordinates, command deployed F-16s, attacking with AGM-65G Maverick missiles, destroying the targets.

接下來由F16投擲五百磅炸彈，攻擊水面上敵軍，同時海軍岸置雄風二型飛彈發射車也在陸軍地六軍團化兵群以渦輪發煙機施放煙霧的掩護下協同截擊，新江軍艦也從水面上發射海上雄風二型反艦飛彈，均精準命中目標。

Afterwards F-16s dropped 500 lb bombs destroying targets on the water, while the Navy's truck-based Hsieng-Fung missiles simultaneously test fired, under smoke cover of the 6th Army, hitting the target succesfully.

同時F16也發射雷射導引彈攻擊陽字號靶船，精確命中假想目標。

F-16s also succesfully hit targets with laser guided bombs.

在發現敵軍兩棲登陸船團準備集結登陸後，演習進入國軍採取聯合泊地攻擊的階段，首先由F-16掛載集束彈以每小時900公里速度俯衝投彈，海軍艦隊司令部海鷗級飛彈快艇則以戰術編組，發射雄一反艦飛彈；陸軍則出動雷霆2000火箭，展開地面反登陸作戰攻擊；對空警戒組也以響尾蛇飛彈攻擊來犯的敵方轟炸機。

After enemy forces were found grouping in preparation for an amphibious assault, the second wave of defense initiated, starting off with F-16s with a low and fast mission profile dropping bombs, Navy patrol boats firing Hsieng 1 anti-ship missiles; The Army firing Lei-ting 2000 rockets simulating a defense of the beach; fighters on CAP also fired Sidewinders at simulated enemy bombers.

對海面遠距離準備進犯的水陸戰車，指揮中心也出動陸軍航空特戰司令部攻擊直昇機進行截擊，發動地獄火飛彈攻擊；接著由砲兵部隊展開各式火砲射擊。

The Army also deployed Ah-1s firing Hellfires at enemy tanks about to deploy, followed by a artillery barrage.

進入灘岸戰鬥階段後，空軍防空砲兵司令部麻雀飛彈陣地也對靶機目標展開射擊外，不過，雖然有一枚命中目標，但是也有一枚在陣地前海面100公尺內落海。

After the fight for the beach started, MIssile Command launched Sparrows (SAM version) at target drones, although 1 hit succesfully, the other hit the water 100 meters in the ocean away from where it was launched.

由中科院研發的車載劍一反艦飛彈、海軍蘇澳中正基地檞樹飛彈與車載復仇者飛彈也展開接戰並命中靶機；同時攻擊直昇機也發射火箭偕同攻擊。

接下來是這次演習最驚心動魄的場面，由陸軍六軍團反裝甲營M113拖式飛彈車發射8枚拖式反裝甲飛彈，模擬灘頭部隊阻卻敵方裝甲部隊登陸攻勢；不過，第1枚即落在陳總統所在的觀禮台前方100公尺的海面，引發現場一陣虛驚。

Next was the most "hard-hitting" scene of the exercise, with the 6th Army's M-113s firing 10 TOW guided missiles, simulating a defense against enemy landing armor, unfortunately the first one landed in the ocean in front of the President viewing platform.

而第九發也並未命中目標，因此陸軍此次總共發射了10枚拖式飛彈。軍方查證事故原因後表示，因為拖式飛彈的導線斷了，才會發生這次的脫靶意外。

The original plan only called for 8 missile launches, however as the 1st and 8th missiles failed, the Army all in all fired 10 TOWs. Post-mortem analysis determined that the missiles failed because the guidance wires broke.

在國軍出動各式攻擊機與戰鬥直升機掩護砲兵高速脫離，同時展開機砲射擊，接著，國軍也對逐漸逼近灘頭的水陸戰車展開彈幕標定射擊，指揮中心先發動地獄火飛彈攻擊，其次由M110A2自走炮、M109A2自走炮、155榴炮、105榴彈炮依序展開彈幕標定射擊；海陸快反營也在最後殲敵時刻進場，出動海軍新式AAVP7兩棲突擊車展開戰場掃蕩。

「國土防衛作戰演練」實兵驗證最後在陸航OH-58D戰搜直昇機、AH-1W攻擊直昇機的空中分列式，以及空軍F16、IDF以及幻象2000各以七架大雁的分列式通過觀禮台而落幕。








漢光22號／紅軍空機降斬首點穴　裝甲車優勢城鎮防衛得勝
記者王宗銘／宜蘭報導 2006-07-20 20:41

國軍「漢光22號」演習20日在宜蘭展開最後階段的「國土防衛作戰演練」與「城鄉守備戰鬥訓練」實兵驗證，在「城鄉守備戰鬥訓練」方面，演練在近兩百名攻擊軍於蘭陽平原遂行聯合特種空機降滲透突擊，企圖進占蘭陽平原，而國軍則是發動城鄉守備攻勢，殲滅敵軍，並由警方拘捕滲透人員與不法份子。

The military's "HK22" exercise on the 20th concluded with the "City defense" exercise, with nearly 200 paratroopers landing at the Lanyang plains simulating a aerial insertion by the PLA, which was repelled.

今天上午的演習由陳水扁總統主持，呂秀蓮副總統、行政院長蘇貞昌、國安會秘書長邱義仁、國防部長李傑、參謀總長李天羽，以及三軍司令等高階將領等人陪同視導位於宜蘭縣政中心週邊的城鄉守備陣地。

這項代號為「聯雲72號」的操演在上午11時由陸軍航空特戰指揮部之航空601旅、特戰862旅及高空特戰特勤中隊，擔任攻擊軍紅軍的角色，於蘭陽平原遂行聯合特種空機降滲透突擊，以策應稍早前在利澤簡海灘之登陸部隊，「藉平垂多點、多維上陸」之三棲進犯行動，迅速奪取控制蘭陽平原，進而威脅台北中樞要域翼側之安全。

In the operation codenamed "Lien-Yun (Allied Clouds) 72", at 1100 hours the Army's 601st airborne, Spec Ops 862nd as well as High Altitude Division played the "Red" part in the exercise.

演習首先以高空滲透突擊揭開序幕，空中開始出現戰鬥機模擬壓制地面與裝甲部隊，國軍開始施放警報，在先期作戰階段，敵軍32位特攻人員，由中外聞名的神龍小組扮演，搭載陸航CH-47SD中型運輸直昇機從1萬英呎高空跳出，精準在縣政府附近著陸後，隨即展開突擊破壞行動，進行「斬首點穴」癱瘓防衛軍的目的。

The exercise started with simulated enemy fighters suppressing land based armor units, an air raid alert was signalled, in the opening stage 32 special ops soldiers riding CH-47SD transport helicopters jumped from a height of 10,000 feet, accurately landing near the governmental buildings in the area, beginning a "beheading" op.

接下來的聯合特種空機降突擊，多達112名頭戴紅帽、身著「鐵漢裝」的敵方傘兵，由特戰862旅旅長孟慶宇少將率領，分別搭乘8架C130 運輸機，從天而降實施特種地形跳傘，在F16戰機2批4架次實施先期制壓攻擊與空降場週邊戰場組厥掩護下，於幅員狹窄隻宜蘭舊機場空降著陸。

Afterwards 112 soldiers of the 862nd simulating as PLA troopers dropped from 8 C-130 transports, 2 flights of F-16s each consisting of 4 aircraft simulating PLAAF fighters escorted them until they succesfully dropped the troops at the old Ilan airfield.

緊接著由4架AH-1W、2架OH-58D、12架UH-1H編成的空中機動突擊戰鬥隊，搭載特戰連72名敵軍迅速在宜蘭地方法院及宜蘭大橋著陸，配合先前空降著陸之部隊，協力奪取宜蘭城鎮外圍要點，以阻斷防衛軍之增援與退卻。

After that 4 AH-1Ws, 2 OH-58Ds, and 12 UH-1Hs carrying 72 enemy troops rapidly deployed at Ilan's local court and the Ilan bridge, in coordination with the troops who landed earlier, took control of various strategic points on the Outskirts of Ilan, to deter the response time of the defensive forces.

兩架CH－47SD中型運輸直昇機並各吊載一輛戰鬥指揮車，支援敵軍空降部隊作戰。

面對敵軍機降戰鬥，國軍則以對空武器、火網，出動地面部隊、裝甲步兵車展開反空降與城鄉守衛戰。

同時，警方也出動實施路口攔檢、搜索，警車、消防人車並演練動員管制及救災。

At the same time, local Police initiated blockades, Firefighters also deployed to suppress fires set by sabatogers.

而後備部隊則是依據作戰區指揮，擔任城鎮守備的任務，在城鎮之間擔任拒止、遲滯敵軍行動，並運用兵火力，希望殲滅部分敵軍，爭取時間，以利作戰區的反擊任務。

在敵軍與國軍城鄉守備旅展開激戰之際，陸軍蘭陽地區指揮部16輛CM21、CM22、CM23以及M113甲車火速趕到，並施放煙幕彈，配合地面部隊與陣地攻擊敵軍，最後攻破敵軍據點，以揮舞國旗宣告演習結束。

During the battle on the outskirts of the city between the two forces, the Army deployed 16 CM21, CM22, CM23, and M113 armored units, first deploying smoke screens, combining with ground forces to attack the enemy assault teams, concluding with a successful retaking of the enemy rally point.

此外值得一提的是，軍方在演習中除了出動心戰喊話車，由心戰部隊勸導殘餘敵軍投降，給予安全保證承諾之外；也首度實施車機徵調動員，並由地面部隊搭配動員來的數輛民間小貨車，實施裝步戰鬥。

Something of note was that in the exercise the military "deployed" posters and broadcasts ensuring PLA forces of their safety.

utelore said:

Chen said this week China had 820 missiles aimed at Taiwan, giving the island of 23 million people more reason to boost its military defenses.

Taiwan and China have faced off since 1949 when defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island after losing a civil war to the Communists.

The military balance in the Taiwan Strait is now shifting in China's favor because the Asian giant has been pumping up defense amid concern that Taiwan will declare independence, analysts say.

The United States, obliged by its Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself, has repeatedly urged China to explain its military build-up, worried it will alter the balance of regional power.

China's defense expenditure was officially about US$30 billion in 2005, up 12.6 percent from the previous year, but many foreign experts believe the real figure is significantly higher.

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Just some comments on utelore's thread:
820 missiles aimed at Taiwan, did china published this number? I think the number of missiles aiming to Taiwan is top secret of China. If Chen said it, that means he was telling china, we have spies in you.

Taiwan Relations Act, I think USA also has a treaty with China to admit one-china policy, does this contradict to this act?

what will happen to US made equipments when Taiwan will be under a new leader which has a pro china policy? all of the US equipment will be revealed to China?

Raptor said:

what will happen to US made equipments when Taiwan will be under a new leader which has a pro china policy? all of the US equipment will be revealed to China?

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Nope..because the equipment they have is not 100% the same as the US equipment. And has a more limited capablity...As for what will happen to the equipment well the PLA would keep it and study it of course...But let us hope that war never comes. as we can see on Tv everyday war just absouletly sucks....

bd popeye said:

Nope..because the equipment they have is not 100% the same as the US equipment. And has a more limited capablity...As for what will happen to the equipment well the PLA would keep it and study it of course...But let us hope that war never comes. as we can see on Tv everyday war just absouletly sucks....

Click to expand...

but USA charged a lot to Taiwan for these "limited capabilty" equipments, much higher than the price USA sold to other countries, what is Taiwan to USA? a cash cow?

wmdco said:

but USA charged a lot to Taiwan for these "limited capabilty" equipments, much higher than the price USA sold to other countries, what is Taiwan to USA? a cash cow?

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I know Taiwan is not a "Cash cow' to the US. Tiawan is not the only customer as you point out. US military equipment is sold woldwide. As to what the price is ..it is anyones best guess. I sure don't know. The Us would never sell the ROC say a Arliegh Burke class DDG for fear it's technology may fall into PLA hands. Or any other country for that matter.

utelore said:

"Across the Strait, China has always been the biggest national security threat to the Republic of China, Taiwan, for the past half a century," said the island's independence-leaning president, Chen Shui-bian.

The annual Han Kuang -- or Chinese Glory -- exercises are designed to counter an invasion by China, which views self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a wayward province that has to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

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How ironic. I can just imagine the people shouting "Chinese Glory.... death to China!"

Surely if CSB started calling these exercises "Taiwan Glory" or something, China will have to move.

Symbolism and rhetoric is a very important part of the Taiwan issue.

bd popeye said:

It seems to me that the PLA is being give a full look at the military it may face if there were some sort of confrontation with Tiawain. First it was the US excersise Valiant Sheild that the highercy of the PLA was allowed to witness. Second a PLA general is in the US making a visit to various bases. He even dropped in on Rummy!..Now Tiawain is conducting this excersise. Oh let's not forget the RIMPAC excersise on going right now. And the east coast USN CVN "Enterprise" has been temporaily moved to the Pacific...Makes me think .....Does it make the PRC think? Maybe and maybe not. But they can't help but to notice all these excersises...In the ROC case I think they are just "posturing" for the PRC. You know just trying to show their best hand..

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I honestly don't think these recent contacts really change the perception of the PRC. I'm sure the PLA never underestimated the US military in the first place. Seeing all this gear in person doesn't reveal anything they don't already know. If anything, they'll see whether or not the US Navy in practice is as great as they are on paper or in theory. I do think PLA planners assume in any conflict contingency that the US will bring as many assets to bear as possible, they don't simply assume the US will pull their punches. So all these grand exercises simply confirm the PLA's beliefs, they're no surprise at all.