Taiwan's military conducted a joint air defense drill on Tuesday that simulated a response to an enemy air attack. That was the word from the Military News Agency late Tuesday. The drill involved all of Taiwan's air bases, as well as naval and surface-to-air missile units.
The drills come amidst an unprecedented number of Chinese military incursions into Taiwan’s air space. Since September 16, Taiwan has seen five incursions by Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), with some warplanes even crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
At dawn on Tuesday, the air force began the drills with F-16s, Indigenous Defense Fighters, and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Taiwan’s army and navy were also deployed in the joint operation.
Defense Minister Yen De-fa said on Tuesday that on no account will Taiwan allow the enemy to step out of line. He also said that the military will go all-out to defend the country's sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.