The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) joint exercises around Taiwan Island highlight an enhancement in the army's capabilities in launching joint operations, precision strikes, and taking comprehensive controls over all domains, said a military expert on Tuesday.
The PLA announced earlier on Tuesday that its Eastern Theater Command has mobilized multiple forces to conduct a new round of close-in joint exercises around Taiwan Island, with field, marine, air and rocket forces units closing in on the island from multiple directions.
The exercises showcase an enhancement in the PLA's military capabilities in multiple areas, said Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, associate professor with the PLA's National Defense University.
"The exercises mainly showcase military prowess in three areas: First, joint operations capability. During today's exercises, the PLA Eastern Theater Command mobilized various military branches including ground, naval, air and rocket forces, along with reconnaissance, early warning and information support units, to engage in joint operations with close coordination, fully demonstrating their capabilities to carry out joint operations in real-combat scenarios. Second, precision strike capability. In their drills, PLA naval and air units carried out sea-to-land strikes to test their ability to launch precision strikes on the key targets of the Taiwan authorities from multiple directions. Third, control-seizing capability. The exercises focused on securing air superiority, maritime dominance and information control, underscoring the units' capabilities to assert comprehensive control over all domains through joint operations," said Zhang.
The PLA has conducted a series of exercises across the Taiwan Strait in recent years to strengthen the troop's combat preparedness, according to Zhang.
"This series of exercises has significantly bolstered the PLA's combat preparedness and combat capabilities, which is primarily manifested in three aspects. Firstly, it has honed the troops' steadfastness. The exercises have enhanced their psychological resilience and fostered an unwavering conduct in them, enabling them to perform real-combat tasks in an optimal mental state. Second, it has helped familiarize the troops with the battlefield environment. The exercises have developed in depth as our troops are getting closer in on Taiwan island, which helps the PLA to know more and better about the battlefield environment across the Taiwan Strait. Third, it has boosted the troops' combat capabilities. The high-intensity exercises have elevated the PLA's proficiency in carrying out joint operations, with their weaponry and equipment standing the test, indicating a continuous improvement in the PLA's combat capabilities," he said.
PLA exercises highlight joint operations, precision strikes, control seizure: expert
