Taipei [Taiwan], July 27 (ANI): Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has submitted a detailed report to lawmakers following the conclusion of the 41st annual Han Kuang military exercise, emphasizing realistic combat simulations designed to counter a potential Chinese invasion, Taipei Times reported.
According to the report, this year’s war games—held from July 9 to July 20—marked the longest and most comprehensive Han Kuang exercise to date. For the first time, the exercise scenarios were unscripted, signaling a strategic shift toward unpredictable, real-world conflict preparedness.
The MND warned that in the event of a full-scale assault, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would likely target key strategic locations, including Taipei International Airport (Songshan), New Taipei City’s Bali District, and the Port of Taipei. Similar vulnerabilities were noted in central and southern Taiwan.
To counter such threats, the military practiced integrating firepower from tube and rocket artillery, air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, and drones in an effort to delay PLA advancement and inflict maximum damage, the Taipei Times noted.
In a departure from previous years, regular forces—not reservists—will now be pre-assigned to defense mobilization roles due to concerns about delayed response times among reservists, the ministry said.
The exercise also featured the deployment of Hesco bastions and improvised landing deterrents such as wave breakers and abandoned vehicles. Units across all branches of the armed forces rehearsed signal discipline, de-identification, and dispersion tactics to enhance survivability under actual combat conditions.
Logistical operations were supported through civilian collaboration, including the use of modular pallets and dispersed stockpiles. For the first time, Taipei’s MRT system was employed for troop transport, enhancing urban mobility and coordination.
The drills simulated the military’s escalation from responding to “gray zone” tactics and cyberattacks to preparing for full-scale war. Unified ground units from the army, navy, and air force were tasked with defending the capital, particularly critical sites like Songshan Airport and vital bridge infrastructure.
Overall, the exercise marked a significant advancement in Taiwan’s capability to swiftly transition from peacetime operations to wartime readiness, according to the Taipei Times. (ANI)
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