Taiwan troops took part in US drills: Sankei Shimbun

Taiwan troops took part in US drills: Sankei Shimbun

2024-11-04

A Japanese media outlet reports that Taiwan took part in the Northern Strike exercises in the US this August, led by the Michigan National Guard. Sankei Shimbun reports that the Taiwanese troops underwent training to cooperate in land, sea, air, cyber and space operations. It also noted that the scale of the drills was larger than previously, adding that it wasn’t Taiwan’s first time taking part in the exercises. A DPP lawmaker says the drills are a reflection of the solid ties between Taiwan and the US.

Due to Typhoon Kong-rey, the ROC Air Force pushed back its annual large-scale Tian Long airborne drills to Nov. 4. Meanwhile, the ROC Armed Forces continue to strengthen their exchanges with allies.

Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reports that, back in August, Taiwanese troops took part in an expanded military exercise in the US with several participating countries, amid the Biden administration’s plans to boost defense. The report notes that, the ROC Army sent a joint battalion to take part in the Northern Strike exercise held by the US National Guard in Michigan. Though it is not known how many troops took part in the exercises, the report says the scale was larger than previously.

Wang Ting-yu
Lawmaker (DPP)
The way it was reported implies that Taiwan also took part in the 2023 Northern Strike. These military exercises provide Taiwan with much-needed real combat experience, and experience in operating with international allies. Taiwan previously lacked in areas such as C4ISR system commands, intelligence exchanges, skill and language exchanges, and command directives.

More than 6,000 soldiers took part in the exercise, and the ROC Army’s joint battalion focused on training with a joint operational center comprising land, sea, air, virtual and space operations. The goal was to enhance real-time response and combat capabilities. The report also noted that that the ROC Navy and the US Navy conducted unannounced joint drills in the Pacific Ocean in April.

Chi Tung-yun
Military analyst
In the past, there have been instances in which F16s from the US Air Force’s 21st Fighter Squadron, and vessels from the US Navy met with vessels from allied nations in the Pacific Ocean to conduct joint exercises. These activities reflect the strengthening military cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and the US.

Besides the drills, good equipment is key. Back in August, ROC Army personnel were sent to the US to undergo training to operate HIMARS, a multiple rocket launcher. Reports say the first batch of launchers have arrived in Taiwan and are currently being used in training by 10th Army Corps. Once they enter service, it will mark a significant boost for Taiwan’s anti-landing capabilities.

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日媒曝國軍"擴大參與"美軍演王定宇:補強我國實戰經驗

2024-11-04

我國陸軍今年八月組織聯兵營，赴美參與由密西根國民兵主導的"北方打擊演習"，在陸海空、網路與太空的全域作戰中心受訓，目的在於強化即時作戰能力，日媒近期披露台灣不只參與，規模也擴大，綠營立委樂見，這代表台灣不是首度參與，除了提升國軍實戰能力，也象徵台美關係緊密穩固。

受到康芮颱風攪局，空軍年度重大演訓"天龍操演"，延到4號進行。同時，國軍也強化與盟邦交流。

日媒產經新聞，以"台灣軍隊擴大參加美國本土多國軍事演習，拜登政府緊急加強防衛"為題，披露陸軍派聯兵營，參與八月由密西根國民兵主導的"北方打擊演習"，雖然無法證實確切參與人數，但規模更勝以往。

[[立委(民) 王定宇]]
“（日媒）這個揭露方式等於告訴大家，2023年"北方打擊"台灣也有參與。（軍演）帶來的效果就是，台灣我們國軍最缺乏的實戰經驗，還有國際盟友的聯合作戰經驗。跨國的演訓之間，C4ISR（指揮自動化系統）在通訊指管，還有一些情報的交換上，雙方的交換能力、交換的語言，以及指令下達，我覺得這個台灣以前欠缺這一塊。”

北方打擊參與總人數超過6000人，聯兵營在聚焦陸海空、網路與太空的全域作戰中心受訓，目的在於強化即時應對與戰鬥能力，報導也披露台美海軍曾在今年四月，於在西太平洋低調舉行聯合演習，但沒有對外公開。

[[軍事專家紀東昀]]
“除了過往在美國，空軍基地的F16-21中隊，海軍的艦艇會在太平洋，偶遇友邦的艦隊，來進行聯合的操演，這都是台灣跟美國之間，軍事合作、軍事交流的強化。”

加強軍事交流同時，裝備也要到位，陸軍八月曾派員赴美，接裝海馬斯多管火箭系統，傳出首批已抵台，正由10軍團實施接、換裝訓練，服役後將大幅提升我反登陸能力。

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