Taiwan Conducts Major Military Drills Amid Rising Tensions

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan has launched extensive military drills aimed at evaluating commanders’ ability to adapt quickly to unexpected enemy maneuvers. The exercises, which commenced on Wednesday, will temporarily limit internet access, marking a first in Taiwan’s defense strategy.

The annual Han Kuang exercise involves a 10-day operation initiated by an underground command center in Taipei. The center issued orders for combat readiness, leading to dispersals of fighter jets and naval emergency deployments. According to senior Taiwanese officials, the exercise is focused on improving coordination through a new ‘backbrief’ approach, inspired by U.S. military practices. Junior officers will restate mission details to enhance synchronization between commanders and subordinates.

Taiwan faces critical wartime challenges, particularly the threat from China, which considers Taiwan its territory despite objections from the island. The drills emphasize protecting command centers, ports, logistics, and defense industries from potential paralysis during an attack.

For the first time, the exercise will deliberately slow mobile internet speeds to examine civilian communication during bandwidth constraints. The military plans to simulate relocating a major arsenal, mobilizing civilian factories, and conducting escort drills off the Pacific coast. These activities are a response to growing concerns over China’s military rehearsals aimed at isolating the island’s supply lines.

A senior official emphasized the drills represent a significant shift towards realistic conditions, moving away from past criticisms of staged exercises. Resilience drills will test local officials’ ability to maintain government operations during cascading crises, including potential Chinese invasions.

The drills will challenge field commanders with unexpected scenarios, making swift reassessment and order adjustments vital. Over 20,000 reservists will be mobilized as part of the exercise.

On a sports field in Taipei, reservists practiced using mortars and taking rifle positions. The military will introduce an ’embedded reporter’ mechanism to manage wartime news releases and counter disinformation. Officials stress the importance of preparing the entire population, emphasizing that the Republic of China must collectively confront the prospect of war.