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Taiwan Tracks 11 PLA Sorties, 6 Vessels Amid Invasion Study Warning

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting 11 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around the island, with most aircraft crossing the median line. This follows similar activity the previous day, highlighting ongoing tensions. Concurrently, a study by a US-based think tank warns that a Chinese amphibious invasion could result in up to 100,000 military fatalities for China. The report, which assesses various conflict scenarios, suggests such an invasion would likely fail to capture main Taiwan, though offshore islands might be seized.

Key Points: Taiwan Detects Chinese Military Sorties, Vessels Near Its Waters

  • 11 PLA aircraft detected near Taiwan
  • 9 sorties crossed median line into ADIZ
  • US study warns of high Chinese casualties in invasion
  • Report analyzes scenarios from major war to minor conflict
2 min read

Taiwan detects 11 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 vessels, 1 official ship around itself

Taiwan reports 11 PLA aircraft & 6 naval vessels near its territory as a US study warns China could suffer 100,000 casualties in a Taiwan invasion scenario.

"We have monitored the situation and responded. - Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense"

Taipei, January 7

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 11 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and an official ship around its territorial waters as of 6 am on Wednesday.

Of the 11, nine sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "11 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan detected eight sorties of PLA aircraft and seven Chinese naval vessels. Of the eight, two crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Meanwhile, China could face military fatalities of up to 100,000 if it attempts an amphibious invasion of Taiwan and would ultimately be compelled to retreat, although it may still take control of Taiwan's offshore Kinmen and Matsu islands, according to a study by a US-based think tank, Focus Taiwan reported.

The study, titled "If China Attacks Taiwan," was released by the German Marshall Fund, which receives partial funding from the United States government. The report evaluates the likely military, strategic and international fallout for China under scenarios ranging from a "major war" to a "minor conflict" with Taiwan, Focus Taiwan said.

Zack Cooper, one of the report's authors, said a full-scale conflict would begin with amphibious landings by Chinese forces, accompanied by strikes on Taiwan's military as well as US forces based in Japan and Guam.

While Chinese troops could reach Taiwan's shores, their logistics would be severely disrupted by "successful Taiwanese and US strikes on ships and aircraft crossing the [Taiwan] Strait," wrote Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Focus Taiwan reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Delhi, I watch this with worry. The Taiwan Strait is a major global shipping lane. Any conflict there would disrupt supply chains worldwide, including for India. Hope cooler heads prevail.
A
Arjun K
The One-China policy is clear. But these muscle-flexing exercises by the PLA are counterproductive. It only pushes Taiwan closer to the West. China needs a more diplomatic approach, not just military posturing.
P
Priya S
The human cost mentioned in the report is staggering—100,000 potential fatalities. War is never the answer. Both sides must remember the people caught in the middle. The world doesn't need another conflict zone.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think the article and the think tank report are missing a key point: the will of the Taiwanese people. Their right to self-determination should be part of any discussion, not just military calculations.
K
Karthik V
From an Indian strategic perspective, stability in the Indo-Pacific is crucial. We have our own challenges with an assertive China on our borders. A distracted China focused on Taiwan might seem beneficial short-term, but a full-blown war would be a disaster for everyone in Asia. Jai Hind.

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