GEOLOGICAL CHALLENGE: The PLA lacks the landing vehicles and logistics required to launch an incursion into Taiwan via the Taiwan Strait, a defense ministry report said
Taipei Times
Date: Sep 01, 2020
By: Aaron Tu and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Rockets are launched from a Thunderbolt-2000 multiple-launch rocket system in a live-fire exercise during the annual Han Kuang exercises in May last year. The domestically produced platform is designed to attack disembarking amphibious landing forces.
Photo courtesy of Military News Agency
The China Military Power Report 2020, which the ministry yesterday submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review, said the PLA still lacks the landing vehicles and logistics required to launch an incursion into Taiwan via the Taiwan Strait.
If Beijing were to wage a war now, its combat plans could take the form of military intimidation, blockades, firepower strikes and landing operations, the report said.
The PLA could intensify its military exercises, or sail warships to waters within 24 nautical miles (45km) of Taiwan by claiming “freedom of passage” and “innocent passage,” in an attempt to generate a sense of fear among Taiwanese, it said. [FULL STORY]
