By Yi-Chin Lee and Ann Wang CHIAYI, Taiwan, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force showcased its ability to rapidly replenish and get back in the air its most advanced F-16 fighter jets in a readiness drill on Wednesday,

Army units in central Taiwan’s Taichung carried out anti-airborne landing exercises designed to counter sudden enemy incursions and test rapid response measures.

This is a reminder coming directly from President Xi Jinping that political loyalty stands well before combat readiness,” one analyst told NBC News.

Taiwan’s defence ministry on Tuesday pushed back against an opposition party proposal to cut a planned NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special military budget to NT$400 billion and drop plans for the “T-Dome” layered air defence system.

The shift could set troops up to better mix in new weapons like specialized Abrams tanks, drones, and artificial intelligence in command and control.

Taiwan detains journalist over alleged military leaks to China - A TV reporter and current and former army officers are accused of exchanging military information for payments

Taipei is ramping up coordination between its US-made weapons systems and locally developed missile capabilities.

Taiwan’s domestic gridlock is revealing a deep-seated fracture over how the island should defend itself and how much it can depend on the United States.

Beijing’s rapidly advancing spying operations have seen agents penetrate the island’s armed forces, enticing personnel to pledge allegiance to China.