Latest news with #militaryexercise
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
China sends scores of planes across central line in Taiwan Strait
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China sent 74 warplanes toward Taiwan between late Thursday and early Friday, 61 of which crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that unofficially divides the sides, an unusually large number as tensions remained heightened in the region. It wasn't clear why so many planes were scrambled between late Thursday and early Friday, as tabulated by Taiwan's Defense Ministry. The planes were sent in two separate tranches, it added. China considers Taiwan its own territory and uses such deployments to advertise its threat to encircle and possibly invade the self-governing island. China also hopes to intimidate Taiwan's population of 23 million and wear down its equipment and the morale of its armed forces. On Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs 'confirmed and welcomed' the transit of the British Royal Navy's off-shore patrol craft HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait a day earlier. The ship's transit, the ministry said, 'once again (reaffirmed the Strait's) status as international waters.' 'Such transits by the U.K. and other like-minded countries are encouraged to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the Foreign Ministry said. Britain's representative office in Taipei said in a statement that the Spey had conducted a navigation of the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law and rights provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 'Wherever the Royal Navy operates, it does so in full compliance with international law and exercises its right to Freedom of Navigation and overflight,' the statement added. China responded angrily, saying the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army 'organized troops to monitor and guard the entire process and effectively responded and dealt with it.' The British ship's action 'deliberately disturbed the situation and undermined the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait,' the Eastern Theater Command said in a statement. The bustling Taiwan Strait lies in international waters, but China objects to any transit or activity within it by foreign military vessels. It wasn't clear if the large number of Chinese warplanes sent on Thursday and Friday were related to the earlier sailing of the British ship. Six military ships accompanied the Chinese planes, which ranged from drones to fighter jets and early warning and other support aircraft. Taiwan deployed ships, fighter interceptors and land-based missile systems in response.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Military to conduct aircraft exercise in downtown Calgary
Calgarians may notice increased activity in the skies around downtown on Wednesday night, as the military conducts an exercise involving helicopters. The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) confirmed it will be conducting an exercise on the western side of downtown. 'The people of Calgary can expect to hear CH-146 Griffons in the late evening for a limited duration. We ask that if anybody is nearby to not approach for their safety,' CANSOFCOM said in an emailed statement. It noted that the training is not connected to the G7 Summit. 'We thank the people of Calgary for their understanding as we conduct this important training,' the statement reads. The City of Calgary notified residents about the exercise in a social media post Wednesday, noting that it is weather permitting.
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Don't be alarmed if you see warships off Vancouver Island, says Canadian navy
Social Sharing More than 1,000 armed forces members will be conducting military exercises off Vancouver Island over the next few weeks, using warships, aircraft, and a submarine. The joint exercise, called Trident Fury, is being led by the Pacific fleet of the Canadian Armed Forces, with participation from both the United States and Mexico. Navy Capt. Sam Patchell, deputy fleet commander of Canadian Forces Fleet Pacific, told CBC News it's about preparing for worst-case scenarios. While he couldn't give a specific example, he said they plan by taking scenarios from the real world: for instance, the increased use of drones in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. "The use of uncrewed systems [drones] is really an emerging threat, and one we need to prepare ourselves for," Patchell said. Trident Fury is an exercise they've already done before, but he said there is a shift now to both practicing using drones and defending against them. Planning has been underway for over a year and, Patchell said, even as U.S. President Donald Trump began referring to Canada as the 51st state, there was no change in the discussions with allies. "The United States has always been invited, and we're quite excited that they're sending one of their destroyers…as well as one of the Coast Guard cutters," Patchell said. While locals may see more military craft, he said they don't need to worry about getting in the way of military manoeuvres — which will happen further offshore. Military craft will mostly be spotted off Cattle Point and Clover Point, in Oak Bay and Victoria respectively, as well as on the horizon west of Tofino. The exercises will run between June 16 and June 29, though vessels began arriving in the area on June 13.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Man shot while biking near military live-firing zone in Singapore
SINGAPORE, June 16 — A 42-year-old man was injured by a gunshot yesterday while cycling in a forested area near an active military live-firing zone in Singapore, prompting investigations by both the Singapore police and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). According to Channel News Asia, the police were alerted to the incident at about 11.55pm by the National University Hospital (NUH), where the man had been taken for treatment. 'A bullet slug was lodged in the man's left lower back,' the police reportedly said. 'The injury is not life-threatening, and the man is currently in a stable condition, after surgery to remove the bullet slug.' The man had been cycling with friends at around 11.40am in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, between Upper Seletar Reservoir and Upper Peirce Reservoir, when the incident occurred. He was brought to hospital by his companions. Authorities emphasised that the area where the incident happened is off-limits to the public. 'The public is not allowed to access that particular area, which has signages warning against unauthorised entry into a live-firing area,' police said. Preliminary investigations confirmed that the SAF was conducting a live-firing exercise at Nee Soon Range around the time of the incident. Singapore's Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the activity was held at the SAF's Nee Soon 500m Range, approximately 2.3km away. 'The SAF is working closely with the police and other relevant authorities to further investigate the circumstances of the incident. 'As a precautionary measure, live-firing activities at the Nee Soon 500m Range have been suspended,' Mindef said. The spokesman added that the area is gazetted for live-firing and falls under the Military Manoeuvres Act, which prohibits unauthorised entry for public safety. Police said there is currently no suspicion of foul play. Investigations are ongoing.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
What does China's military gain from operating 2 aircraft carriers in second island chain?
In sending two aircraft carriers to the western Pacific concurrently for the first time, Beijing is learning to coordinate the vessels in open ocean, a tactic it would likely use to deter US forces in a Taiwan conflict, according to defence analysts. The two carriers – the Liaoning and Shandong – were spotted in the waters, having entered the western Pacific via separate courses over the past two weeks. They are believed to have practised dispersing, concentrating and communicating in the complex high-seas area. By Friday, Chinese military authorities had not yet declared an end to the exercise. 01:39 China says Fujian carrier is world's largest conventionally powered warship China says Fujian carrier is world's largest conventionally powered warship The operation is the first time a Chinese carrier has crossed the strategic second island chain. Stretching from Japan through Guam to Papua New Guinea, the second island chain is a notional defensive perimeter for the United States and its allies to contain China during potential conflicts.
