As the Chinese military conducts military exercises around Taiwan, the island nation appears to be gearing up for any potential attack by equipping itsF-16Vs ( Viper ) with lethal weapons, including Harpoon missiles, to defend the east coast. The country, reports the Liberty Times.
Following the visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, China"s People"s Liberation Army (PLA) announced military drills in six areas bordering Taiwan and entering its territorial waters on Aug. 3. Chinese military aircraft and warships have been conducting drills near the Taiwan Strait since then, and many of them are still operating in the eastern seas.
Taiwan"s Hualien Air Force Base is reportedly ready to deploy four fully loaded F-16V fighter jets, each equipped with missiles to defend the country"s east coast.
After receiving a combat order, the F-16V fighter jet can go straight into the air and launch a direct attack on a PLA Navy warship.
About the Harpoon (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed in the United States and used since 1977. Since its inception, various variants have been developed, including air-launched, surface-launched, and submarine-launched versions. The missile has also been modified for various aircraft, such as the S-3 Viking, P-3 Orion, P-8 Poseidon, AV-8B Harrier II, F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
