The Ministry of National Defense held a combined drill in Hsinchu County yesterday, with displays of firepower and maneuvers by CM-11 main battle tanks, CM-32 “Clouded Leopard” armored vehicles and mechanized infantry units demonstrating the army’s ability to engage and repel an enemy invasion.
Also on display at the army’s field training base in the hills of Hukou Township (湖口) were Thunderbolt-2000 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) vehicles, the Air Cavalry Brigade and units from the special forces.
The action was coordinated by the Greater Taoyuan-based Sixth Army Corps Command, which is responsible for the nation’s “Northern Military Region,” which includes the Taipei basin.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Taking part in the drills were 340 soldiers and officers from various military units.
Military officials said the scenario for the drill was an air landing and amphibious assault by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
One objective of the drill was to train for rapid troop deployment to defend against a landing by PLA paratroopers, including the use of the Avenger air defense system, which utilizes US-made Stinger missiles.
Photo: CNA
Mortar and bomb explosions rocked the battleground as the CM-11 “Brave Tigers” advanced along with Clouded Leopard vehicles and soldiers.
The CM-11s and Clouded Leopards came from the Mechanized Infantry Brigade stationed at the Guandu Area Command.
The 542nd and 582nd Armored Brigades, both based in Hsinchu County, were deployed, along with tanks and troops from the Armor Training Command, and the army’s 21st Artillery Command, which is in charge of operating the domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 mobile launchers.
Photo: CNA
The army’s Aviation and Special Forces Command, including the 601st Air Cavalry Brigade and Sniper Company, also participated.
Although the nation’s new UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58D reconnaissance helicopters were supposed to take part in the drills, along with UH-1 Hueys and AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, low cloud cover and poor visibility forced authorities to scrap the airborne segments of the exercises.
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