The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command wrapped up its two-day 'Justice Mission 2025' live-fire exercise on Dec. 30, encircling swathes of Taiwan in its largest drill to date. Building on the second day's operations reported previously, the exercise followed the US approval of a record $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan and featured army, navy, air force, and rocket force units with stealth fighters, destroyers, and missile systems like the PHL-16. Taiwan detected 31 warships, 16 coastguard vessels overall, and 207 PLA aircraft sorties, 125 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line.
'Justice Mission 2025', launched Dec. 29 with patrols and assaults, concluded Tuesday after live-fire strikes simulating maritime attacks, anti-air, and anti-submarine missions north and south of Taiwan.
Larger than prior drills (e.g., 135 sorties in April 2025, 153 in October 2024), it came amid heightened tensions post-US$11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan—the biggest ever. Multi-branch participation included long-range rocket systems potentially testing low-cost attrition tactics against Taiwan's air defenses, with activity near Fujian province, Hsinchu, and Pingtan Island.
Taiwan's defense ministry tallied 207 aircraft sorties total (up from 130 on day two), 31 warships and 16 coastguard vessels. The 125 median-line crossings underscore PLA's enhanced capabilities and ongoing cross-strait friction.
