The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense reported several incursions of unidentified Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) over the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, off the southeastern coast of mainland China.
The drones add to sightings of countless fighter jets operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on a daily basis.
Kinmen Defense Command reported at least four incursions on August 10, 2022, around Kinmen main island, Lieyu Island, and Beiding islet, local media outlet Focus Taiwan reported.
The military responded by firing warning flares at the drones. The operator of the UAVs is unknown, though the defense command suspects it to be the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
These incursions began during PLA’s intense military exercises around Taiwan. The flight of unidentified UAVs continues despite the end of the drills on August 7, 2022.
The same day, the ministry also reported a total of 36 PLAAF aircraft sorties in the country’s ADIZ, including 17 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The 17 fighters detected were nine Su-30s and eight J-11s. 10 warships were also detected.
In response, the Taiwanese Air Force (ROCAF) dispatched its own fighters for interception and deployed air defense missile systems.