Taiwan 01.16.2017..
Taiwan began two days of military drills Tuesday simulating an attack by China as the government sought to reassure the public in the face of deteriorating relations with Beijing.
The island’s armed forces gathered in central Taiwan for annual drills that saw troops practice combat skills with tanks, attack helicopters and artillery.
“The military has active measures to deal with the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea so the public can rest assured. We will enhance training 365 days a year,” defence spokesman Chen Chung-chi said.
In addition to the drills, the air force confirmed Tuesday an upgrade of Taiwan’s 143 F-16s was under way, with materials supplied by US aerospace company Lockheed Martin which manufactured the jets.
“Taiwan is the first country in the world to upgrade the F-16 A/B fighters to F-16 V. We are enhancing our aerial capabilities to ensure national security,” an air force official told AFP.
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