Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has watched live-fire drills with new U.S.-made Abrams M1A2T tanks during annual defense exercises.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force’s 5th Tactical Fighter Wing carried out “hot refueling” drills for F-16 fighter jets Friday morning at Chiashan Air Force Base in Hualien. The drills are part of the ongoing Han Kuang 41 live-fire exercise, which began on Wednesday.

Amped-up drills and new U.S. tanks have added bite to President Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan-is-a-country lecture tour.

Taiwan launched its largest ever military drills on Wednesday, starting with simulated attacks on its command systems and infrastructure ahead of a Chinese invasion, senior defence officials said.

The previous day during the July 9-18 military exercises saw tanks and mortar vehicles positioned near Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in a simulation of an effort to prevent the landing of Chinese air force planes. On Friday, the Air Force placed Patriot missile systems in a riverside park east of Songshan Airport, the Liberty Times reported.

China claims Taiwan as its own despite Taipei's objections. The United States does not recognize Taiwan's statehood but has political and economic stakes in a peaceful resolution to the decades-long dispute, and is obliged by U.S. law to help Taipei arm itself against a possible attack.

In Hsinchu County, President William Lai (賴清德) monitored a live-fire exercise at the Kengzikou Range (坑子口訓練場) involving a platoon of M1A2T tanks purchased from the US. The tanks fired individually, in pairs and as a full platoon. Following the drill, the army said that the tanks had achieved “perfect” accuracy.

The annual 10-day Han Kuang exercise will test Taiwan’s ability to respond to a Chinese attack on its command structure.

China has imposed export controls on eight companies tied to Taiwan’s military as the self-ruled island began annual military exercises.