By SOFREP,
Taiwan’s military was on high alert Thursday morning, running a defense drill that included deploying jets, ships, and missile systems.
This came after the defense ministry spotted two Chinese balloons hovering over waters near the island.
Taiwan sees these balloons as part of China’s ongoing strategy to ramp up pressure, a tactic they call “grey zone” harassment—provocative, but not outright war.
The balloons were detected not long after similar sightings earlier in the week, along with reports of 13 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships near Taiwan.
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The early morning exercise tested how quickly and effectively Taiwan’s air defenses could respond to threats.
President Lai Ching-te, who’s vocal about Taiwan’s sovereignty, is set to travel to Pacific nations soon, with a possible stop in the United States—something that’s almost certain to provoke China.
Taiwan, always under the threat of invasion, has been stepping up its military spending and relies heavily on US arms to bolster its defenses.
As tensions rise, the island is making it clear it won’t back down.
