Taiwanese troops and armoured vehicles were deployed Thursday for a mock urban street battle in the latest drill preparing forces against China, which has long vowed to take the island.
On Thursday, soldiers from two platoons faced off in a simulated battle in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, firing at each other from houses and sandbag barricades as tanks rolled down a street in a mock-up town complete with signs for pharmacies and beer brands.
One soldier was seen throwing an aerosol bomb outside a fake O'Donoghues pub, sending pink smoke bellowing into the air, while dummy bodies of 'dead soldiers' were seen laying on the ground.
Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by its authoritarian superpower neighbour China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day - by force if necessary.
Beijing has ramped up military drills and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen - who regards the island as a sovereign nation - came to power in 2016.
Much of this has focused on urban warfare, which has become an increasingly key training subject for the military.
On Thursday, soldiers from two platoons in Taiwan faced off in a simulated battle, firing at each other from houses and sandbag barricades as tanks rolled down a street in a mock-up town complete with signs for pharmacies and beer brands
Soldier with machine gun takes aim during military drill in Taiwan
Urban warfare has become an increasingly key training subject for the military (Pictured: Taiwanese soldiers break a door for an assault against enemies , during an Army Preparedness Enhancement Drill)
Soldiers participate in a military exercise simulating an invasion by China, organized by Taiwan's Army Infantry Training Command, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Pictured: A dummy soldier lays dead on the floor in the mock-up town created for the drill)
Taiwan is bracing for more Chinese military patrols this year, after Peoples Liberation Army incursions more than doubled in 2021, fueling concern about a clash
Taiwanese soldiers form a circle by placing their hands on each others' shoulders before they take part in a demonstration at an army base in Kaohsiung
A soldier with a machine gun in position, during the Army Preparedness Enhancement Drill
A soldier donning sunglasses throws an aerosol bomb
Soldiers kitted out in military gear are seen brandishing huge and heavy weapons while waiting in position
Soldiers with face coverings stand ready with machine guns near a CM-34 armoured vehicle
Soldiers brandishing machine guns march in procession alongside a CM-34 armoured vehicle
Soldier removes a safety pin of an aerosol bomb before throwing it
Soldier dons face covering and glasses as he holds huge machine gun in Taiwan
