PINGTUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan's military practiced how to repel a Chinese invasion Friday, just days ahead of a potentially explosive U.S. decision on which advanced weapons to sell to the island.

Two F-5E fighters armed with Taiwan-made missiles and Cobra helicopters carrying U.S.-made Hellfire missiles attacked floating targets in the Taiwan Strait, kicking off the annual ''Han Kuang'' (Chinese Glory) exercises involving 3,380 troops.

``I believe the impressive effect of these exercises will increase the confidence of our people about the ability of our armed forces to defend the country,'' drill Commander Chen Chin-sheng told reporters as all branches of the armed forces took part.

A fast patrol boat followed up the air attacks by firing anti-ship missiles at floating targets.

An armored battalion then simulated an attack on enemies hitting the beach, opening fire in a deafening roar as residents of the south Taiwan onion-growing town of Chechen crowded a nearby roadside to watch.

The annual exercises come at a sensitive time as Taiwan awaits a U.S. decision next week on its request for arms, including four destroyers with the missile-hunting Aegis radar system, submarines and an advanced Patriot missile defense system known as PAC-3.

While Taiwan's leaders have urged Washington to help defend their fledgling democracy by providing it with proper defenses, they avoided taking sides during the U.S.-China row over a downed spy plane. China considers Taiwan a renegade province.

U.S. Weaponry

Taiwan also used its newly developed Thunder 2000 multi-barreled rocket launcher in a live-fire drill for the first time.

Taiwan, which has cut its armed forces to 400,000, is counting on advanced weaponry to counter the threat from China's 2.5 million-strong People's Liberation Army -- the world's largest fighting force.

China has deployed an increasing number of missiles in coastal provinces facing Taiwan, and many of the anti-missile defenses on its shopping list reflect that threat.

Taiwan Army U.S.-made M-48 tanks take part in a live-fire exercise during the annual 'Han Kuang' (Chinese glory) exercise on the southern Pingtung sea front April 20, 2001.
Taiwan's military practiced how to repel a Chinese invasion, just days ahead of a potentially explosive U.S. decision on which advanced weapons to sell to the island. (Simon Kwong/Reuters)

President Chen Shui-bian, who alarmed Beijing with his election victory last year, has softened a pro-independence stand in the face of Chinese threats to attack Taiwan if the island declares independence or drags its feet on unification talks.

Beijing remains deeply suspicious of Chen and has refused to deal with his government.

Chen did not attend the anti-landing exercises that launched the military exercise, which traditionally last several weeks. He is scheduled to attend the commissioning of a batch of about 20 French-made Mirage fighters on May 10.

Taiwan analysts said Washington was unlikely to sell Taiwan the politically sensitive Aegis system as the United States shores up ties with China strained by the spy plane collision.

``I will not be surprised if we don't get the Aegis this year and it's not necessarily bad news for us,'' said National Chengchi University diplomacy professor Teng Chung-chian.

Teng said older U.S. Kidd-class destroyers, which the United States might supply, could go into immediate service, but the military may need eight years to launch Arleigh Burke class destroyers with the Aegis system.

Also on the island's shopping list are up to 70 Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, HARM anti-radiation missiles and eight to 12 Lockheed Martin P-3 maritime search and anti-submarine aircraft.

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