Agence France-Presse,
Taipei (AFP): Taiwan is performing a computerised military exercise which for the first time focuses on attacking a Chinese aircraft carrier, it was reported Monday. The scenario of a five-day drill — part of military manoeuvres codenamed “Han Kuang 23” — is that in 2012 the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launch a blitz on the island after they acquire their first aircraft carrier, the Taipei-based China Times reported.
The defense ministry declined to comment on the report.
In the drill beginning Monday, the Taiwanese navy armed with home-made “Hsiungfeng II” ship-to-ship missiles and the improved version of supersonic “Hsiungfeng III” missiles is to simulate launching its arsenal against a Chinese aircraft carrier, the report said.
The Taiwan air force's F-16 fighters would also simulate attacks on the carrier using US-made Harpoon missiles, it said.
The report also said the former commander-in-chief of US Pacific Command, Dennis Blair, would witness the drill.
China has stepped up its cross-strait combat readiness and modernised its navy in recent years.
China's PLA staged a series of live-fire war games near Taiwan and lobbed ballistic missiles into the shipping lanes off the island's two major harbours to scare Taiwanese voters into not re-electing then president Lee Teng-hui for a second term during the 1995-96 missile crisis.
The sabre-rattling did not die down until Washington sent two battle carrier groups to waters near Taiwan in a clear message to Beijing not to take military action against the island that China regards as part of its territory.
Tensions between Taiwan and mainland China have escalated since independence-leaning Chen Shui-bian was elected president in 2000. He was re-elected in 2004.
China has repeatedly threatened to invade the island should it declare formal independence.
