US, Japan Hold 'Orient Shield' Military Exercise 美日東方之盾聯合軍演 反制共軍意味濃

The U.S. and Japan held a joint military exercise on Aug. 28 around Japan's southwestern islands in the same area where China had been firing ballistic missiles. Analysts say the exercise was held to prepare for a PRC invasion of Taiwan. 

During the joint U.S.-Japan "Orient Shield" military exercise, which opened on the 28th, the U.S. fired Javelin missiles in Japan for the first time. The exercise, which also included electronic warfare drills, was focused on defending Japan's southwestern islands around the same area where China recently fired ballistic missiles.

J.B. Vowell, US Army Japan Commanding General: “Japan is the anchoring and frontline ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Our partnership serves as the key to integrated deterrence and regional security.”

While the exercise is held annually, one analyst says this year's event had an "if Taiwan is in trouble, Japan is in trouble" undertone to it. In other words, if war breaks out in the Taiwan Strait and Japan comes to Taiwan's aid, Japan may face the consequences from China. 

Shu Hsiao-huang, Associate Research Fellow, INDRS: “These military sea exercises in the East China Sea or the Ryukyu Islands may affect the Taiwan Strait or Taiwan. So, they're stepping these sea exercises. Highlights may include the new electronic warfare drills with the U.S. for the first time.”

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is currently testing Hsiung Feng III missiles for combat and hopes to wrap up the Panlong Project and start mass production next year. According to unconfirmed reports, the anti-ship missiles have a range of 300 kilometers. In unrelated news, Guatemala's foreign affairs minister has arrived in Taiwan for a visit.

Mario Bucaro, Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister: “We can be able to tell the world that we are like-minded countries and Taiwan and Guatemala will always be allies.”

He thanked Taiwan for its cooperation in every area and said Guatemala would not go back on its promise to Taiwan and would continue supporting Taiwan.

 

台海局勢動盪，美國軍艦日前才穿越台海，美國陸軍28日也與日本陸上自衛隊展開「東方之盾」聯合軍演，尤其美軍首度在日本發射標槍飛彈，以及美日電子作戰部隊模擬應對海上船艦攻擊，聯合軍演主要強化日本西南群島的離島防禦，正好就是共軍彈道飛彈落點附近海域，反制共軍意味濃厚。

美國陸軍日本司令部長Gen. JB Vowell表示：「日本是美國在印太的錨定和前線盟友，我們的夥伴關係是綜合威懾和地區安全的關鍵。」

「東方之盾」雖然是美日年度聯合軍演，演練美軍「遠征前進基地作戰」的部署，但學者分析，也有意針對共軍圍台軍演，模擬台灣有事，就是日本有事，美日演練以陸制海，以及台海爆發戰事，日本協助台灣，可能遭中共反制，登陸攻打本島。

國防院副研究員舒孝煌分析：「他東海區域或者是這個西南諸島，等等這些海上活動，因為這些海上活動可能其實跟台海，或是跟台灣周邊有些連動關係，那所以他強化這些海上操演，那這次亮點可能也就包括這個新成立的電子戰部隊，可能會跟美國實施這種首度的電子戰操演。

此外，國軍積極建構飛彈防衛，中科院耗費7年研發的「磐龍專案」增程型超音速雄三反艦飛彈，已進入作戰測評階段，有望在明年結案，展開量產。增程型雄三傳出射程可達300公里，有效反制共艦。在兩岸情勢緊張之際，瓜地馬拉外交部長步卡羅也抵台訪問，強調展現瓜國繼續挺台最有力的驗證。

瓜地馬拉外交部長步卡羅表示：「我們能夠告訴全世界，我們是志同道合的國家，台灣和瓜地馬拉永遠是盟友。」

步卡羅感謝台灣提供各領域的合作，對此，瓜地馬拉不會放棄對台灣的承諾，會堅持立場，繼續支持台灣。