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Taiwan Launches Biggest War Drills Yet as China Steps Up Military Pressure
Taiwan has begun its largest and most realistic Han Kuang military exercise to date, mobilizing thousands of troops, reservists and civilians as Beijing continues to increase military pressure around the island. The 10-day drills are designed to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion and test whether Taiwan can keep fighting even after its command centers, communications and infrastructure come under attack.
Photo by Winston Chen
China hasn't fired a shot.
But Taiwan is already preparing for war.
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As military pressure from Beijing continues to grow, Taiwan on August 5 launched the 42nd Han Kuang Exercise, its largest annual war game and the most extensive in the drill's history. Officials say this year's exercise is designed to answer one question.
What happens if China's military exercise suddenly becomes a real invasion?
The drills come less than two weeks after China concluded live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait, which Taipei condemned as a military provocation. Taiwan has repeatedly warned that Beijing could use routine exercises to disguise preparations for an actual attack.
Unlike previous years, commanders have been told to expect the unexpected.
Instead of following scripted scenarios, frontline officers will have to make independent decisions as battlefield conditions rapidly change. Taiwan's military has also introduced the U.S.-style "backbrief" system, requiring junior commanders to explain exactly how they intend to carry out their missions before operations begin.
The exercise will run until August 14.
More than 20,000 reservists have been mobilized, making it one of Taiwan's largest reserve call-ups in recent years. Regular troops, police, firefighters and civilian agencies are also participating in what officials describe as a "whole-of-society" defense exercise.
The battlefield extends far beyond military bases.
For the first time, Taiwan will deliberately slow mobile internet services in several cities to simulate wartime communications disruptions. Authorities will also test relocating weapons production to alternative factories if existing defense facilities are destroyed.
New equipment is also taking center stage.
The drills include the recently delivered U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams tanks, alongside drone warfare, counter-drone operations and convoy protection exercises. Taiwan says lessons learned from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have reshaped how it trains for modern conflict.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo recently said Taiwan's military cooperation with the United States is likely "closer than many people imagine," adding that strengthening combat readiness remains the island's highest priority as Chinese military activity intensifies around its airspace and waters.
Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out using force to achieve what it calls "reunification."
Taipei rejects those claims and insists only Taiwan's people can determine the island's future.
Military analysts say this year's Han Kuang exercise is less about putting on a show and more about surviving the opening days of a real war.
Instead of rehearsing victory, Taiwan is practicing resilience.
That includes keeping command structures functioning, maintaining weapons production, protecting supply convoys and ensuring civilians can continue operating under attack.
Whether those preparations are ever needed remains uncertain.
But as military activity across the Taiwan Strait continues to intensify, Taipei appears determined to ensure its largest war game is treated like the real thing.
Editor's Note: Taiwan's Han Kuang exercises are annual defensive military drills. China has criticized the exercises and continues to oppose foreign military support for Taiwan. Beijing has not announced any direct response to this year's drills beyond its longstanding position that Taiwan is part of China.
