Summary
- PRC steps up pressure on Taiwan with 66 military aircraft in ADIZ
- Taiwan responds to heated rhetoric from new president
- PRC legislation to punish Taiwan opponents raises concerns
In a People’s Republic of China (PRC) act to increase pressure on Taiwan – aka the Republic of China, the PRC has been sending hordes of aircraft into Taiwain’s Air Defense Identification Zone. The latest batch have been 66 military aircraft over two days.
Airspace patrols in response to heated politics
One could argue that these current PRC penetrations into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone are because of heated rhetoric from Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday stated his views according to Reuters that,
“Peace must rely on strength, which is to say avoiding war by preparing for war to achieve peace. Empty promises are not true peace.”
Meanwhile, the PRC has been pushing legislation to issue capital punishment to internal proponents of Taiwan opponents. Additionally, there are increasing concerns that the decades-long territorial dispute between the PRC and Taiwan dating back to 1949 is why the PRC is arming itself rapidly now.
Air Defense Zone violations means of coercion
Every time an aircraft violates a nation’s air defense identification zone or ADIZ, the nation may send up an aircraft to identify the aircraft and be ready to deter any attacks. However, when it;s 66 military aircraft from a hostile nation the cost of continuing such operations is high.
Earlier this month, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) issued a feature report titled, “How China Could Quarantine Taiwan”. The report notes that the PRC could deploy a naval fleet to limit Taiwanese seaports, while airpower also conducts patrols to assist. CSIS predicts only a few weeks of this would be necessary to undermine Taiwan on the world stage and thoroughly tax Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
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Taiwan Deploys Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets As China Launches War Games
Taiwan launched its fighter jets in response to large Chinese military exercises around the island.
As referred to above, Taiwan has been under this kind of situation before. In fact, according to the June 23 Taiwan News, so far in June 301 PRC aircraft entered the ADIZ. This means that Taiwanese fighter jets need to intercept, identify and deter the PRC aircraft.
What is an Air Defense Identification Zone?
An Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ is a portion of airspace off of the coast of a nation that aircraft are requested to identify themselves and stay in contact with air traffic control. Failure to do so may result in intercept by military aircraft.
Related
A Deeper Look At The Operational Capabilities Of The Taiwanese Air Force
A look at what planes the Taiwanese Air Force has on hand to defend Taiwan’s independence.
As per the above profile, the Taiwanese Air Force is capable of policing its local airspace and intercepting potential threats to the Taiwanese people. However, Taiwan has a policy of not taking the first shot, preferring to trust in deterrence.
Nonetheless, as per above, there are credible reports that Taiwan and the United States are working together to arm Taiwan with a massive fleet of drones to deny the Taiwan Strait between the PRC and Taiwan to PRC invasion forces. This is also raising tensions but arguably necessary considering the PRC’s raising rhetoric, increasing lawfare – or legal action undertaken as part of a hostile campaign against a country or group, and large scale testing of Taiwan’s air sovereignty.
What do you think is next? Please share with civility in the comments.