Combat helicopters from the USA: Taiwan starts new military maneuvers

The Ministry of Defense in Taipei speaks of routine, but the conflict with China puts the new military maneuvers in a different light.

Combat helicopters from the USA: Taiwan starts new military maneuvers

The Ministry of Defense in Taipei speaks of routine, but the conflict with China puts the new military maneuvers in a different light. US-type Super Cobra and Apache combat helicopters will also be used in Taiwan's exercises until Thursday.

Taiwan has begun new military maneuvers amid tensions with China. According to media reports, US-type Super Cobra and Apache attack helicopters are also to be used in the army exercises in the south of the democratic island republic. According to the Ministry of Defence, the maneuvers should last until Thursday.

The latest Taiwan crisis was sparked by a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the capital, Taipei, in early August. This was the highest-ranking visit from the United States in a quarter century. China sees the island as part of the People's Republic. Taiwan sees itself as independent.

Chinese naval vessels and military aircraft are now increasingly plying the Taiwan Strait straits. In doing so, they often cross the previously respected, unofficial center line. Chinese military planes keep penetrating Taiwan's air surveillance zone. In addition, a sea and air blockade and a possible conquest were practiced. Taiwan had previously responded with maneuvers.

In Taipei, a Defense Ministry spokesman described the maneuvers at the Pingtung Training Area as "routine." They would be held every quarter. The US made a commitment to Taiwan's defense capabilities decades ago. A new $1.1 billion arms sale was announced on Friday. In response, Beijing announced "countermeasures" that were not described in detail. Despite the intimidation, other US politicians have since traveled to Taiwan. A delegation from the Bundestag also wants to go there this fall.