台湾がミサイル防空演習 コルベット艦も就役

【台北ＡＦＰ＝時事】台湾空軍司令部は２６日午前５～７時に、自主開発した地対空ミサイル「天弓」と米国製の地対空迎撃ミサイルシステム「パトリオット」を運用する防空演習を陸海軍と合同で実施したと発表した。中国軍の「侵入」を想定した訓練強化が目的だとしている。（写真は台湾北東部・宜蘭で行われたコルベット艦の就役式典の様子）
　北東部・宜蘭県ではこの日、コルベット艦の就役式典も行われ、蔡英文総統が出席した。
　台湾国防省によると、この日午前６時までの２４時間で、台湾周辺では中国軍の航空機１３機と海軍艦艇７隻が目撃された。
　先週は、今年に入ってから２４時間で最多となる３６機の中国軍機が確認されていた。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/03/26-18:18）

Taiwan conducted an air defence test on Tuesday deploying US-made Patriot missiles and its anti-aircraft artillery systems, saying it will ramp up training in the face of Chinese military intrusions around the self-ruled island.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not rule out using force to bring the island under its control.
Chinese warplanes and ships maintain a near-daily presence around the island, as Beijing has ramped up military pressure against Taipei using what experts say are grey zone actions -- tactics that stop short of outright acts of war.
Taiwan's Air Force Command said it conducted an exercise between 5:00 and 7:00 am (2100-2300 GMT Monday) that included the island's domestically made Sky Bow and US-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles along with army and navy units.
The aim was to verify the command and control of joint air defence operations among the three branches of the military, it said, adding that the exercise went smoothly.
In the face of frequent intrusions by PLA aircraft and vessels into the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan, the Air Force will continue to enhance training intensity to respond to potential threats.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen rejects China's claim over the island, causing Beijing to cut all high-level communications since she came into power in 2016.
She has ramped up defence spending during her eight years in office, acquiring military weapons and developing Taiwan-made equipment, like submarines and ships.
On Tuesday, Tsai oversaw the handover of two domestically made warships -- both Tuo Chiang-class corvettes -- at Suao port in northeast Yilan county.
Over the past few years, we have steadily implemented defence autonomy with Taiwan-made warships being named, launched, and commissioned one after another at an increasingly rapid pace, Tsai said in a speech.
These achievements repeatedly demonstrate Taiwan's capacity for domestic shipbuilding and proves our determination to safeguard our democracy and freedom.
She also praised the warships -- designed for stealthy multi-missions and easily maneouvred -- for being a year ahead of schedule.
Taipei's defence ministry said 13 Chinese aircraft and seven navy vessels were spotted around Taiwan in the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am Tuesday.
Last week, Taiwan detected 36 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, the highest single-day number this year so far.