Photo / Getty ImagesChina's unrelenting air assault on Taiwan has claimed its first victims – that nation's defence and home affairs ministers. Taiwan scrambled fighters and activated air defence missile systems in response to a probe combat aircraft on Friday and another on Saturday – just hours after a military reshuffle. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said its fighters were sent into the air, "radio warnings issued and air defence missile systems deployed to monitor the activity". Taiwan's air force has been seeking to purchase replacements for its ageing F-16 Falcon fleet from the US for several years. Military analysts widely believed it was a tactic designed to degrade the Taiwan air force's effectiveness and preparedness.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 25, 2021 01:43 UTC