Taiwan "Han Kuang" exercises
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The_Zergling
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Took me awhile to find this thread. No wonder, it's a year back. (Didn't want to start a new thread with a similar name) Updates are from the five day HK23 exercise held recently. Here are some reports, unfortunately primarily in Traditional Chinese...
This was particularly interesting. According to the article, this year's exercise featured the F-CK-1 armed with the "Wanjian" anti-runway munitions as well as TC-2A anti-radiation missiles to strike at enemy bases and radar. However, because of the extreme range of the S-300s, losses were heavy. I had never thought that the ROCAF would seriously consider using IDFs in this sort of striking role... seems suicidal. That said, I'm not very informed about what sort of weaponry the Wanjian is, as far as anti-runway munitions go I'm most familiar with the JP233 of the Panavia Tornado.
Taiwan believes that the S-300s can target aircraft on the west coast basically as soon as they take off, hence the need for the IDF Wild Weasel missions.
What I found confusing in this article was its description of "Wanjian", in that it said it had limited self-propulsion abilities - it's a missile. Apparently it will fly over the airspace of an enemy base and release a lot of "mini-bombs" that will dig into the runway, which can be pre-programmed to explode either on impact or after awhile, hampering repair.
The ROCAF actually did experiment with highway takeoff/landings before in 1978, when they were still using F-104s. (Same location) This was the first time the F-CK-1s and F-16s participated in this sort of exercise, M2000s had already done it previously in a different location 3 years ago on the Jongshan highway.
After conducting "emergency landing" simulations, they were refueled and rearmed. The goal was to have F-16s prepped within 29 minutes, and the M2000s and F-CK-1s within 18. The exercise was apparently the most daunting for the IDF because of its weakass engines. The military said that the increased turnaround time for the F-16 had something to do with the AMRAAMs.
In summary - a few embarrassing misses. The missiles that failed were previously under ROCA control. Now the ROCAF has command of the Sky Guard, TK-1/2, Patriot, and I-HAWK whereas the Army has shorter range units such as the Avenger and Chaparral units.
One of the 2 Hawks fired missed. When F-CK-1s were in position to fire Sidewinders, the target drone was missing.
... "Revenger" missiles? Since when? We don't need to buy weapons, since reporters can simply make shit up.
Test-firing the Javelin for the first time.
More photos found at Taiwanmilitary.org
The graphics are showing a paratrooper invasion at the Hualien mountain airfield. First a missile attack, then enemy airborne troops.
Besides the normal smoke shield exercises, ground troops also rehearsed an emergency repair of a runway at the Jiashan airfield, as well as taking care of unexploded ordnance.
This was particularly interesting. According to the article, this year's exercise featured the F-CK-1 armed with the "Wanjian" anti-runway munitions as well as TC-2A anti-radiation missiles to strike at enemy bases and radar. However, because of the extreme range of the S-300s, losses were heavy. I had never thought that the ROCAF would seriously consider using IDFs in this sort of striking role... seems suicidal. That said, I'm not very informed about what sort of weaponry the Wanjian is, as far as anti-runway munitions go I'm most familiar with the JP233 of the Panavia Tornado.
Taiwan believes that the S-300s can target aircraft on the west coast basically as soon as they take off, hence the need for the IDF Wild Weasel missions.
What I found confusing in this article was its description of "Wanjian", in that it said it had limited self-propulsion abilities - it's a missile. Apparently it will fly over the airspace of an enemy base and release a lot of "mini-bombs" that will dig into the runway, which can be pre-programmed to explode either on impact or after awhile, hampering repair.
The ROCAF actually did experiment with highway takeoff/landings before in 1978, when they were still using F-104s. (Same location) This was the first time the F-CK-1s and F-16s participated in this sort of exercise, M2000s had already done it previously in a different location 3 years ago on the Jongshan highway.
After conducting "emergency landing" simulations, they were refueled and rearmed. The goal was to have F-16s prepped within 29 minutes, and the M2000s and F-CK-1s within 18. The exercise was apparently the most daunting for the IDF because of its weakass engines. The military said that the increased turnaround time for the F-16 had something to do with the AMRAAMs.
In summary - a few embarrassing misses. The missiles that failed were previously under ROCA control. Now the ROCAF has command of the Sky Guard, TK-1/2, Patriot, and I-HAWK whereas the Army has shorter range units such as the Avenger and Chaparral units.
One of the 2 Hawks fired missed. When F-CK-1s were in position to fire Sidewinders, the target drone was missing.
... "Revenger" missiles? Since when? We don't need to buy weapons, since reporters can simply make shit up.
Test-firing the Javelin for the first time.
More photos found at Taiwanmilitary.org
The graphics are showing a paratrooper invasion at the Hualien mountain airfield. First a missile attack, then enemy airborne troops.
Besides the normal smoke shield exercises, ground troops also rehearsed an emergency repair of a runway at the Jiashan airfield, as well as taking care of unexploded ordnance.
Thanks for the great information and pictures.
This sounds like a "Cluster bomb" that the USAF,USM/USMC employs.Cluster munitions are air-dropped (Cluster bomb) or ground-launched shells that eject multiple smaller submunitions ("bomblets"). Their primary purpose is to kill enemy infantry, although specialized weapons designed for anti-runway, anti-armor and mine-scattering purposes have also been developed.
Anti-runway bomb.
"The British employ a JP233 cluster boms are designed to penetrate concrete before detonating, allowing them to shatter and crater runway surfaces. In the case of the JP233, the cratering effect is achieved through the use of a 2-stage warhead that combines a shaped charge and conventional explosive. The shaped charge is designed to create a small crater which the conventional explosive falls into and then enlarges by its explosion. Anti-runway submunitions are usually used along with anti-personnel submunitions equipped with delay or booby-trap fuses that act as anti-personnel mines to make repair more difficult".
The USAF has a bomb similar to this one above. I just can't find it on the web...
This sounds like a "Cluster bomb" that the USAF,USM/USMC employs.Cluster munitions are air-dropped (Cluster bomb) or ground-launched shells that eject multiple smaller submunitions ("bomblets"). Their primary purpose is to kill enemy infantry, although specialized weapons designed for anti-runway, anti-armor and mine-scattering purposes have also been developed.
Anti-runway bomb.
"The British employ a JP233 cluster boms are designed to penetrate concrete before detonating, allowing them to shatter and crater runway surfaces. In the case of the JP233, the cratering effect is achieved through the use of a 2-stage warhead that combines a shaped charge and conventional explosive. The shaped charge is designed to create a small crater which the conventional explosive falls into and then enlarges by its explosion. Anti-runway submunitions are usually used along with anti-personnel submunitions equipped with delay or booby-trap fuses that act as anti-personnel mines to make repair more difficult".
The USAF has a bomb similar to this one above. I just can't find it on the web...
The_Zergling
Junior Member
That's the thing, I had originally thought it was going to be something like the JP233... but if it's propelled then it's something completely different since the IDF doesn't have to physically fly over Chinese airspace. Of course, it could simply be the reporter using the wrong words - a JP233 that could be used as a missile would be very useful.
I certainly hope that the ROCA isn't going to defend its cities like they are in that picture. Parking a truck in the street and hiding behind it? Sounds like they are paintballing or something.
It doesn't sound like Taiwan's missle stocks are in very good shape. If those were all the missles that were fired (reported in the article), then Taiwan's SAM systems are looking like it has a 50% hit rate. Which isn't too good. Then again they didn't fire more advanced missles like the PAC-3 or the Sky Sword. AND that article seemed pretty inaccurate based on the "Revenger missle" comment.
Slowly but surely the technology balance is tilting more and more in China's favor (it already is). The fact that Taiwan is being forced to go on Wild Weasel missions is very telling. Previously the Taiwanese could count on the fact that PLAAF aircraft would have to come to them. They no longer have that assurance, and now must fly into the teeth of China's air defences.
It doesn't sound like Taiwan's missle stocks are in very good shape. If those were all the missles that were fired (reported in the article), then Taiwan's SAM systems are looking like it has a 50% hit rate. Which isn't too good. Then again they didn't fire more advanced missles like the PAC-3 or the Sky Sword. AND that article seemed pretty inaccurate based on the "Revenger missle" comment.
Slowly but surely the technology balance is tilting more and more in China's favor (it already is). The fact that Taiwan is being forced to go on Wild Weasel missions is very telling. Previously the Taiwanese could count on the fact that PLAAF aircraft would have to come to them. They no longer have that assurance, and now must fly into the teeth of China's air defences.
The_Zergling
Junior Member
My post above was compiled from various sources, some reliable - others not. Several Taiwanese reporters are notorious for knowing jack squat about equipment and are rightfully ragged on Taiwan Military Message Boards. As far as I know the reporter simply got the name of the missile wrong, otherwise it was a difference in translation.
Another missile was fired which I forgot to mention above:
Some more updates that I forgot to post earlier...
This is pretty cool as well. Apparently the navy tried out strategies to attack a carrier, with "a mix of slow and fast". The article reported that the Varyag was from Ukraine...
This was the first time a carrier was used in the HK exercise, though Taiwanese forces were unsure of exactly where to deploy it - most speculated it would be used off the eastern side to pinch the island. US Admiral Dennis Blair was apparently here to observe the exercise, which is reasonable since they are definitely interested to see how another military would strike a carrier.
UPDATE: Apparently this wasn't carried out in the end.
I missed this on an earlier read. In the scenario which was set in 2012, one of the conditions was that Taiwan did not successfully upgrade their equipment. I guess they're preparing for the worst.
As I noted in the post above, this was the first time the military tried out Wild Weasel missions off the Chinese Eastern Coast. In addition to military targets, apparently the ROCAF also retaliated against Chinese cities. Both sides suffered greatly, and there was a global economic shakeup. The scenario end with a Western-initiated negotiation. Nukes were not utilized in the scenario.
So even if the anti-carrier mission was not carried out there were several notable new strategies tried out this year.
1. Highway takeoff/landings
2. East Coast Wild Weasel
3. Retaliation against Chinese cities
Perhaps this indicates a doctrine shift in the Taiwanese military strategy. There seems to be a bigger emphasis on defense against conventional forces - hunkering down and forcing the Chinese to deploy ground troops - but also simultaneously hitting enemy cities. In essence, it seems to be the most efficient use of forces. As opposed to engaging them over the strait before they have a chance to get over Taiwan, they were mostly in a defensive position while using cruise missiles to strike. Definitely different from before. The fact that the Americans had observers here says something - did they approve of the limited "MAD" strategy?
This was all in the computer simulation stage. My earlier post was generally regarding the actual physical exercises (with the exception of the F-CK-1 Wild Weasel missions). Before the actual exercises, apparently the military went through a week of "psychological" warfare and training. Taiwan knows all too well the problems we've been discussing about the psyche of their soldiers...
D
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As Zergling said, the reporting was very shoddy and couldn't even get the names of the missiles right. Though I'm sure some missiles did miss, I think they were old stuff like HAWK and/or Chaparral - which are going to be phased out of service in the next few years anyway.
Well yes I said that they didn't fire any PAC-2s or anything more modern, like their SAM Sky Sword. As is often stated around here, SAMs start from 0 elevation, and 0 speed, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage.
About striking Chinese cities: That is a mistake. Hitting civillian targets is a surefire way to erode international support Taiwan needs. It will NOT deter the Chinese because they will only attack Taiwan if they absolutely must. And considering the fact that the Taiwanese will be facing a full-court press of all the conventional offensive assets China can bring to bear, they would be much better off either using those missles to hit military targets on the mainland or an invasion fleet, because some will undoubtedly be destroyed on the ground.
Here are some pics of the excersise. Enjoy....
1) ROC launch a surface-to-surface missile at water-based targets during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
2) ROC navy frigate launches a "Harpoon" surface-to-surface missile during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, off Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
3) ROC Air force AH-1W attack helicopter fires a "Hellfire" air-to-surface missile during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007.
4) ROC air force F-16 fighter jets fly in formation as they drop anti-missile deterrents during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, off of Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
1) ROC launch a surface-to-surface missile at water-based targets during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
2) ROC navy frigate launches a "Harpoon" surface-to-surface missile during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, off Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
3) ROC Air force AH-1W attack helicopter fires a "Hellfire" air-to-surface missile during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007.
4) ROC air force F-16 fighter jets fly in formation as they drop anti-missile deterrents during the second day of the annual Hankuang military exercises, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, off of Ilan, central eastern coast of Taiwan.
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Clouded Leopard
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