Taiwan Detects 11 Chinese Military Aircraft, 8 Naval Ships in Waters

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Asif Iqbal | April 16, 2024 | 01:32 PM IST | Asia, Taiwan, World | Follow on Google News

Taiwan Detects 11 Chinese Military Aircraft, 8 Naval Ships in Waters

Taiwan Detects 11 Chinese Military Aircraft, 8 Naval Ships in Waters

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan from 6 am Monday to 6 am Tuesday. Of these, six aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one entered the southwest sector of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), and a helicopter was spotted in the southeast ADIZ. Taiwan responded by deploying aircraft, naval ships, and air defence missile systems to monitor the Chinese activity.

In an official statement, the Ministry confirmed, “11 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan by 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. Eight aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered Taiwan’s southwest and eastern ADIZ.” Earlier, on April 15, the Ministry had reported 18 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels in the area, with 11 aircraft crossing the median line and entering Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ. This month alone, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 136 times and naval vessels 98 times.

Since September 2020, China has been increasingly deploying military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan, employing grey zone tactics, which aim to achieve security objectives without direct use of force. On April 14, CNA Taiwan revealed plans for Taiwan’s military to establish a new combatant command by 2026. This command, under the Naval Command Headquarters, will be led by a vice admiral and consolidate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance & Reconnaissance Command. The official launch could be as early as 2026, with further details under discussion.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.