Taiwan fishing boat has close encounter with China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier

A Taiwanese fishing boat had a close encounter with a Chinese aircraft strike group on Monday. The boat, which was registered to Su''ao, was operating near the Diaoyutai Islands when it came upon more than 10 warships sailing in formation with the Liaoning carrier. The formation came as close as 3 kilometers away, according to the fishing boat''s captain, who immediately reported the incident to his fisheries association. Earlier, Japan had reported seeing the Liaoning crossing the Miyako Strait. Experts say the aircraft carrier and its destroyers are headed to the waters east of Taiwan to conduct air and maritime drills.

When operating near the Diaoyutai Islands, a Taiwanese fishing boat encountered China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, accompanied by several destroyers. The carrier strike group came as close as 3 kilometers away. The fishing boat’s captain rushed to report the sighting to the Su’ao Fisheries Association via satellite phone.

According to Japan’s defense ministry, the Liaoning carrier strike group was detected in waters surrounding Japan on May 1 and 2.

Sun Li-fang
Defense ministry spokesman
Regarding the passage of Chinese vessels in waters surrounding Taiwan, our military monitors and responds to such maneuvers in accordance with its provisions for handling emergencies. The situation is normal.

Experts say the Liaoning carrier strike group is moving to the waters east of Taiwan to conduct air and maritime exercises.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It’s moving to a position east of Taiwan’s Hualien County to conduct drills. The formation of this particular carrier strike group is relatively complex. That is, it plans to conduct a regional air defense operation, and that’s why we’re seeing the Nanchang Type 055 destroyer.

To counter the PLA threat, Taiwan has been pushing to upgrade its self-defense capabilities. Last year, it ordered 40 M109A6 “Paladin” self-propelled howitzers from the U.S. Washington recently informed Taiwan that, due to the Russia-Ukraine war and overcrowded production lines, the delivery of the howitzers would be delayed by three years. Washington offered alternative weapons, such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or the HIMARS.

Chu Wen-wu
Army Command Headquarters planning division
Regarding the potential alternatives to the M109A6 howitzers, the Ministry of National Defense and the Army are currently conducting a comprehensive review. The new artillery weapons system we purchase in the future will be matched with the domestically produced Thunderbolt-2000 to provide long-range, short-range, and cross-regional firepower reinforcement capabilities.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
We could replace the M109A6 howitzers with our domestically produced Thunderbolt-2000s, since the shortest targetable range of the Thunderbolt-2000 is 30 to 45 kilometers. Or we could continue to communicate with the U.S. and place an order for the M109A7 series.
The expert says that the M109A6 specializes in short- and medium-range beach and coastal defense, whereas the HIMARS provides long-range strike support. The two weapons systems have different roles, he says. He recommends that Taiwan turn to the U.S. and buy the more advanced M109A7 series to strengthen its artillery combat capabilities.

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