MNA

The Fifth Theater of Operations conducted a heavy artillery live-fire exercise today around the northern and southern banks of the Dajia River estuary in Taichung. The exercise integrated forces from the 58th Artillery Command, the 234th and the 586th Combined Arms Brigade. Conducted with troops and live ammunition, the exercise demonstrated the Armed Forces’ rigorous training standards and unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security. According to the Fifth Theater of Operations, the exercise featured six types of organic weapons systems, including the Thunderbolt-2000 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), M109A2 self-propelled howitzers, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, 155mm howitzers, 120mm mortars, and TOW missile carrier vehicles armed with TOW 2A and TOW 2B missiles. The drill was conducted simultaneously across a 20-kilometer-wide front and eight separate firing positions. Through realistic combat scenarios, participating units validated joint-fire effectiveness and the operational kill chain. A major highlight of the exercise was the Thunderbolt-2000 MLRS, an indigenous system developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), which conducted live-fire firing missions within the operational area for the first time in seven years. The exercise simulated enemy amphibious forces attempting to invade central Taiwan. During the initial phase, the Thunderbolt-2000 MLRS conducted area bombardment against simulated enemy forces landing on Baishatun Beach. Subsequently, M109A2 and M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, together with 155mm howitzers, delivered concentrated fires against key objectives, effectively disrupting and degrading enemy combat capabilities at Jianan Beach. TOW missile carrier vehicles and 120mm mortars then continued suppressive fire operations against advancing enemy forces, successfully accomplishing all assigned fire missions. The Fifth Theater of Operations emphasized that the exercise integrated heavy artillery and newly fielded weapons systems into a defensive operations scenario conducted directly within the designated operational area, thereby enhancing the realism and effectiveness of combat-oriented training. Through the exercise, service members further reinforced the principle that “everywhere is a battlefield and training is continuous,” while strengthening command and control capabilities and implementing the core concepts of “new training, new thinking, new equipment, and new technology.” The exercise also contributed to enhancing overall defensive combat readiness and operational effectiveness.

The Armed Forces' Fourth Theater of Operations conducted its annual Heavy Artillery Maintenance Firing Exercise at the Fonggang North Position on June 4. Soldiers from the Artillery Battalion of the Army's 333rd Combined Arms Brigade operated organic artillery systems and executed firing missions under simulated combat conditions. The exercise verified the readiness and operational effectiveness of weapons and equipment while demonstrating the military's commitment and determination to defend the homeland. During the exercise, the unit first completed artillery deployment and pre-firing preparations. Following a simulated enemy threat, the Fire Direction Center issued firing orders in accordance with requirements from the Joint Firepower Coordination Center. Using 155mm howitzers, the unit conducted three training tasks in sequence: harassing and interdiction fire, destructive fire against key objectives, and counterattack fire. In addition to verifying the operational performance of the artillery systems, the Heavy Artillery Maintenance Firing Exercise enhanced the unit's proficiency in fire direction, surveying, observation, communications, and artillery drill through live-fire training. The exercise achieved its objective of strengthening service members' military competence and professional skills.

The Army’s Kinmen Defense Command conducted the second-quarter “Taiwu Exercise” today. Officers and enlisted personnel completed tasks such as entering positions and combat in the main position zone in accordance with orders. The Kinmen Garrison Battalion deployed M60A3 tanks, CM21 armored vehicles, and Javelin missiles, in coordination with the Kinmen Defense Command’s mixed artillery battalion’s 8-inch howitzers, 155mm cannons, and other organic weapons to conduct live-fire shooting. They also used the “Team Awareness Kit (TAK)” to strengthen command and control resilience, and employed “unmanned aerial vehicles” for target reconnaissance and battlefield control, thereby enhancing joint arms combat effectiveness. To validate the unit’s ability to respond to multiple threats, the Kinmen Garrison Battalion’s tank battalion, mechanized infantry battalion, and anti-armor company, in coordination with the long-range strike firepower of the mixed artillery battalion, simultaneously conducted the quarterly “Taiwu Exercise” live-fire training from different locations. Through the method of “real troops, real locations, and real ammunition,” they executed key area fire destruction and limited target attack tasks, thereby improving the officers and enlisted personnel’s ability to respond and defeat the enemy. This exercise also invited local leaders, gentry, and police representatives from Kinmen County to witness the results of the military’s rigorous training. After the command post issued the situation, 8-inch howitzers, 155mm cannons, and 120mm mortars in the positions first conducted “key area fire destruction.” This was followed by the main position zone combat phase. Officers and enlisted personnel conducted “Javelin missile” live-fire shooting for the first time in this exercise area, simulating strikes against enemy forces advancing from the sea and covering the maneuver of armored vehicles. Finally, M60A3 tanks and CM21 armored vehicles carried out limited target attacks to block and annihilate enemy forces attempting beach landings. In this Taiwu Exercise, the Kinmen Defense Command, based on composite scenarios, dispatched armored vehicles for maneuver and used Javelin missiles to precisely lock onto sea targets, combining with the intense firepower of artillery units to successfully complete the mission, demonstrating the officers and enlisted personnel’s determination to defend the homeland and not yield an inch of ground.

The 4th Theater of Operations of R.O.C. Armed Force conducted today the “Heavy Artillery Maintenance and Firing” for the first half of the year in Pingtung area. Participating units included the Army’s 43rd Artillery Command and the Huadong Defense Command. Through the firing procedures, the troops were validated the results of routine training and discipline, refined command control and fire coordination, and enhanced the use of firepower and overall combat capabilities. The heavy artillery maintenance and firing for the first half of the year was conducted this morning in Pingtung area, with a total of 44 155mm-towed howitzers. Participating units conducted three subject drills in sequence: “registration fire,” “Time-On-Target,” and “high angle fire,” which were designed to verify the artillery readiness and to train the live-fire procedures. Additionally, through the artillery body movement produced during firing, the weapon equipment and capabilities are tested. The exercises also allowed personnel to further familiarize with firing procedures, build professional expertise, and bolster the overall defensive combat power in the theater of operations. The 4th Theater of Operations stated that the R.O.C. Armed Forces will continue to carry out various combat readiness exercises and training. Through hands-on field drills, the troops can enhance their control of battlefield environments, and the personnel can improve their proficiency in operating weapon systems and firing procedures. The command-and-control mechanisms and equipment performance are validated at the same time, serving as crucial references for future training planning and force development, with the goal of building a strong and reliable elite fighting force.