Taiwan Shows Off Patriot Missile Defense Systems

Taiwan's air force is showing off one of its U.S.-made Patriot missile defense systems as part of exercises ahead of the Lunar New Year.

Transcript

00:00I'm here at one of Taiwan's largest airbases in central Taiwan where the Air Force is giving

00:05us a rare look into some of the weapon systems it uses not just to defend its bases but also

00:10the civilian population.

00:13On display here is the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system, one of the most advanced systems

00:18in the world.

00:19In the event of a war, the missile launcher, radar equipment and command center would all

00:23work together to protect the airspace above the country against missiles and enemy fighter

00:28jets.

00:29Taiwan has almost a dozen of these units scattered across the country, all in nearby major cities

00:34and military bases.

00:36The position we chose is in line with the requirements of the airbase, so we tried to

00:42choose a position that is well-lit and has a large number of airmen.

00:46We also have an air support unit to assist us with the air support.

00:50We mainly use the computer in the air defense center to evaluate and carry out the action

00:54of intercepting.

00:58The Air Force is also demonstrating how to quickly rearm and resupply its fighter jets

01:03in the event of a war.

01:04Personnel here work as a team to refuel and equip live ammunition into the aircraft so

01:10that these planes are always ready to go.

01:12These are all the things we do in the field, so we can finish the tasks we have been assigned

01:20in the last 10 to 20 minutes.

01:23Many of the fighter jets here will be moving around Taiwan as part of three days of combat

01:28readiness drills ahead of the Lunar New Year.

01:31This kind of exercise is meant to demonstrate the different kinds of weapons, equipment

01:34and people involved in defending the country.

01:37The military says that it's staying on alert and that nothing will change in terms of protecting

01:40the country as the millions of people in Taiwan get ready for their holiday.

01:44Fu Hua-hong and Haimiao Kan in Taichung for Taiwan Plus.