Taiwan Prepares For Possible War With China, Conducts Largest-ever Military Drills

Taiwan has launched its largest-ever military drills, dubbed the Han Kuang exercises, to test its readiness in the event of a Chinese invasion. These drills, which began on Wednesday (July 9), focus on defending Taiwan’s infrastructure and command systems, simulating the challenges the island could face if China were to escalate its military pressure.

Here are the key details of Taiwan’s military preparedness and the ongoing drills:

What is the focus of Taiwan’s largest-ever military drills?

The Han Kuang exercises this year are primarily focused on testing Taiwan’s ability to decentralise its command structure in the event of an attack on its communications systems. The initial stages will simulate cyber and misinformation campaigns, which Taiwan anticipates would likely precede a bigger Chinese offensive.

Over the next 10 days, the drills will expand to assess Taiwan’s combat readiness against a full-scale military attempt to seize the island. The exercises aim to refine Taiwan’s military strategy by learning from recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, and preparing for real combat scenarios, Reuters reported.

What are the key components of this year’s exercises?

This year’s Han Kuang exercises are the largest to date, with a mobilisation of approximately 22,000 reservists. For the first time, Taiwan is integrating new High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), supplied by Lockheed Martin, alongside domestically developed Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles.

In addition to these advanced weaponry systems, Taiwan is also testing the readiness of its civilian defence infrastructure, including the creation of emergency supply stations and the use of expanded air-raid shelters. The drills will involve 24-hour army, navy, and air operations focused on defending Taiwan’s coastlines.

How is China reacting to the exercises, and what is at stake for Taiwan?

China has consistently viewed Taiwan as a breakaway province, and the drills come amid growing military pressure around the island. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and Taiwan’s defence officials are fully aware that China is monitoring the exercises closely. In a statement on Wednesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce added eight Taiwanese firms to its export control list, further escalating tensions.

Additionally, Taiwan detected 31 Chinese aircraft sorties and seven naval ships on the morning of the drills, including 24 aircraft crossing the median line— the unofficial boundary between Taiwan and China. Chinese officials have dismissed the drills as “bluffing” but have reiterated their stance against Taiwan’s military cooperation with foreign actors, particularly the US.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and his government have made it clear that the island will not be coerced into aligning with China’s sovereignty claims, emphasising Taiwan’s right to determine its own future.