TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) Thursday (May 23) said it was dispatching forces to monitor the People's Liberation Army (PLA) exercises around the country and released a video showing training maneuvers by the armed forces.
At 9 a.m., the MND said the PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced that it would conduct the “Joint Sword-2024A” exercise in the sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan. The MND slammed the exercises as “irrational provocation” and released a video at noon showing all branches of the military conducting drills.
The MND started the video by saying, “In the face of irrational provocation from the PLA Eastern Theater, which jeopardizes regional peace and stability, MND has dispatched our aerial, naval, and land assets.”
It said that this deployment of forces is being conducted to “uphold freedom and democracy with action” and defend Taiwan's sovereignty. Faced with pressure from the PLA, the MND said Taiwan's military personnel “stand vigilant.”
It said Taiwan's armed forces are prepared while not seeking conflicts, but “will not shy away from one.” The ministry closed the video by saying that the maneuvers are necessary to “ensure our nation’s safety and protect our beautiful homeland.”
The video shows airborne early warning aircraft, air defense units, rocket launchers, naval vessels, armored personnel carriers, attack helicopters, and fighter jets. The video closes with a formation of five Indigenous Defense Fighters.
