The Taiwan Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked eight Chinese naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am on Thursday (April 4) and 6 am on Friday (April 5), Taiwan News reported. The Taiwan MND shared a post on X, stating, "8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today." They further said that the Taiwanese armed forces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces. "#ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond," the post added. According to Taiwan News, the country has sent naval ships in response and deployed coastal missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) activity. On April 4, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday. According to MND, of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Reportedly, so far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 28 times, according to Taiwan News. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. The Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force."  Source: ANI

The Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday, reported Taiwan News. "3 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond," Taiwan Ministry of National Defence posted on X. According to MND, Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity, as per Taiwan News. On April 3, Taiwan Defence Ministry detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine navy vessels operating around its nation between Tuesday 6 am and Wednesday 6 am, Taiwan Ministry of National Defence said. It added that 20 Chinese aircraft entered its northern middle line and Taiwan's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In an official post on X, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defence posted said, "30 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 20 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, middle line, and SW ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate force to respond." Additionally, Taiwan tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and six military aircraft around the nation amid escalating cross-strait tensions on Tuesday, Taiwan News reported. According to Taiwan News, so far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 20 times. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of grey zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." Source: Economic Times

Taiwan sent aircraft, naval ships, and deployed missile systems to monitor PLA activity. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 14 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (March 5) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 6). Of the 14 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the PLA activity. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 72 times and naval vessels 35 times. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Friday said that eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval ships were detected operating around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Thursday and 6 am (local time) on Friday (local time), Taiwan News reported. According to Taiwan's MND, of the eight People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeast sector of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Furthermore, one PLA aircraft entered the southwest corner of the ADIZ. In response to China's action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to keep a watch on the activity of China's PLA, Taiwan News reported. In a post on X, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence stated, "8 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m.(UTC8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's Sw ADIZ. ROCArmedForces monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond."Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics are "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force," Taiwan News reported. On Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said 33 Chinese military aircraft and six naval ships were detected operating around Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces monitored the situation and deployed appropriate forces to respond. In a post on X, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence stated, "33 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m.(UTC8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's SW ADIZ. ROCArmedForces monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond."Meanwhile, Taiwan's Marine Corps on Wednesday held a maritime drill at the Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung. The maritime drill featured a mine-laying ship and a domestically built assault boat that carried out maritime surveillance and combat operations to simulate defending against a Chinese invasion, Focus Taiwan reported citing Central News Agency (CNA). The manoeuvres, which took place in waters around Zuoying Harbour, were designed to test the Marine Corps' ability to identify Chinese military movements quickly as well as their combat preparedness and capability, according to CNA report. During the exercise, the Taiwan Navy made an emergency departure from the harbour with a minelayer and an indigenous M109 assault boat and performed a variety of actions, including surveillance and the use of radar systems and drones to alert battleship forces to approaching hostile forces, the report said. Source: ANI

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (June 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday (June 19). Of the nine People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two Harbin Z-9 anti-submarine warfare helicopters were monitored in the southeast corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, naval ships, and used land-based missiles to monitor PLA activity. So far this month, Beijing has sent 192 military aircraft and 91 naval ships around Taiwan. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.” Source: Taiwan News

Admiral R Hari Kumar had many high-level bilateral talks during a three-day visit to the Maldives on April 18-20, his first abroad travel since assuming the office of Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).   The Naval Chief met with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamad Solih, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, and Chief of Defence Staff Major General Abdulla Shamaal during his visit, according to an official release.   On April 18, the CNS hosted a reception onboard the Indian Naval Ship Sutlej in honor of the Maldives' Defense Minister and the leadership of the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF), according to an official statement.   Source: ANI

The ninth edition of India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX (Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise) began at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.   The Bilateral Maritime Exercise is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from March 7 to March 10. The exercise will be conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on March 7 and 8, followed by Sea Phase on March 9 and 10 in the Bay of Bengal, informed the Navy.   Sri Lankan Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette. Other participants from the Indian Navy include INS Jyoti, a fleet support tanker, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Sea King and Chetak helicopters and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in October 2020.   SLINEX aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies, informed the Navy.   The Harbour Phase would include professional, cultural, sporting and social exchanges. Exercises during Sea Phase will include surface and anti-air weapon firing exercises, seamanship evolutions, aviation operations including cross deck flying, advanced tactical manoeuvres and special forces operations at sea. These will further enhance the high degree of inter-operability already existing between the two navies.   SLINEX exemplifies the deep maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka and has grown in scope over the years to strengthen mutual cooperation, in consonance with India's policy of 'Neighbourhood First' and Hon'ble PMs vision of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)'.   Source: ANI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday commissioned a full-fledged naval base in Dhaka to be called ‘BNS Sheikh Mujib’ with officials saying the installation was crucial to cater the operational needs of the force in the capital. The navy base, first after the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was set up in Khilkhet area. Reports BSS. Naval officials said the base was set up with a particular objective to coordinate disaster response services alongside running their naval information technology programs and naval intelligence training. Navy helicopters would be stationed as well in the newly floated base, they said. PM’s security advisor Major Gen. (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Bangladesh Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and senior military and civil officials were present. Commanding officer of the BNS Sheikh Mujib Moinuddin Mallik received the ‘Commission Farman’ from the Prime Minister. On her arrival at the new naval base, the Prime Minister was given a state salute while national anthem was played. On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated 22 high rise buildings in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna and laid the foundation stone of BN township at Savar through video conferencing and talked to commanders of the naval areas, navy officers and their spouses. She also unveiled a book ‘Bangladesh Navy in the 21st Century’ which has chronicles of Bangladesh Navy and stages of its historical transformations and contributions towards the nation. The BN township will be constructed at Savar by a Chinese construction firm. The Township will have ten 27-storied and twelve 26-storied residential buildings with modern facilities in addition to educational institutions, hospitals, ladies club, shopping mall and car parking facilities. Addressing the commissioning ceremony of the BNS Sheikh Mujib, the Prime Minister highlighted the steps taken by her government to build up a three-dimensional force. Bangladesh Navy would be made stronger if her party comes to power again, she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government has been making relentless stride for building a prosperous nation. At the same time, the government is trying its level best to develop the three services which are symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty, she added. Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman saw a dream of developed Bangladesh and had build an armed forces befitting to an independent country. So, Bangabandhu formulated defense policy, she said. Despite severe economic crisis, she said Bangabandhu rose up the Bangladesh Navy after independence and commissioned BNS Isha Khan. Bangabandhu also formulated the Territorial Water and Maritime Zone Act in 1974 which the UN formulated in 1982, she continued. Sheikh Hasina said her government procured most sophisticated frigate for Bangladesh Navy after coming to power in 1996 along with other steps for modernization of the naval force. But the modernization process witnessed setback after changeover of the government in 2001. Over the last nine years Bangladesh Navy has emerged as an international standard three-dimensional force, the Prime Minister said, adding the BNS Sheikh Mujib will play important role in disaster management and public welfare along with regular operational activities. AH