Military exercises initiated by Taiwan, in response to perceived threats from China.
**Taiwan's Largest Military Exercises Underway Amid Rising Tensions**
Taiwan is currently conducting its largest military drills to date, the 2021 Han Kuang exercises, from July 9-18. These exercises, involving regular troops and a record number of reservists, are a critical response to the increasing threats from Beijing and aim to prepare Taiwan's military and society to repel a potential large-scale Chinese invasion.
The Han Kuang drills simulate various attack scenarios, including cyber attacks, communication disruptions, and conventional military assaults. The primary objective is to enhance Taiwan's defense readiness and command decentralization in the event of crippling strikes on its infrastructure.
One of the significant aspects of this year's drills is the large-scale mobilization of reservists, with around 22,000 personnel participating. This underscores Taiwan's emphasis on leveraging its reserve forces to bolster defense capabilities.
Another notable feature is the introduction of advanced US-delivered weapons, such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), produced by Lockheed Martin. For the first time, Taiwan is incorporating these sophisticated, long-range strike capabilities into its defense posture. Alongside HIMARS, Taiwan's indigenous Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles are also being deployed, demonstrating a blend of domestic and foreign defense technology integration.
The drills also focus on defending against "grey zone" tactics, such as cyber warfare, misinformation campaigns, and other hybrid warfare tactics believed to precede a broader military assault by China.
In addition to military operations, civil defense mechanisms and societal unity are key components of the Han Kuang exercises. This comprehensive approach to national defense involves both military and civilian sectors.
Commanders at all levels in Taiwan need to be able to make decisions based on their understanding of their superior's intent, according to a senior defense official. This usually requires peacetime training, which is a crucial part of the reservist training program, which includes familiarization with rifles, machine guns, and tactical maneuvers.
The Han Kuang drills are being held while Taiwan faces increased military pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. In recent years, China has conducted several large-scale military drills around Taiwan, and Chinese military aircraft and warships have been frequently deployed around the island.
In response, Taiwan has boosted defense spending and acquired smaller, more nimble weaponry, including drones, for asymmetric warfare against China. The reservist training program and the Han Kuang drills are part of Taiwan's strategic focus on integrated joint operations, civil-military readiness, and modernized weaponry.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated that the drills aim to demonstrate Taiwan's commitment to boosting its military capability and defending itself. President Lai Ching-te, a staunch defender of Taiwan's sovereignty, is touring the island delivering speeches aimed at "uniting the country" during the Han Kuang drills.
China specialists at risk analysis firm Eurasia Group predict that Beijing is "likely" to carry out more military exercises at the end of July. As the island rejects China's sovereignty stance, the 2021 Han Kuang exercises serve as a crucial test of Taiwan's defense readiness and its ability to deter potential aggression from China.
References: [1] Taipei Times, "Taiwan's Han Kuang military drills to start on July 9," July 7, 2021. [2] South China Morning Post, "Taiwan prepares for largest ever military drills amid rising tensions with China," July 8, 2021. [3] Reuters, "Taiwan to hold largest military drills in years amid China tensions," July 9, 2021. [4] Nikkei Asia, "Taiwan's Han Kuang military drills signal growing concern over China threat," July 9, 2021.
- Amidst the rising tensions between Taiwan and China, the World is closely watching Taiwan's largest military exercises, the 2021 Han Kuang drills, which include external threats like cyber attacks and misinformation campaigns, typical of war-and-conflicts.
- As part of the general-news, Taiwan's Han Kuang drills are not just military operations, but also focus on civil defense mechanisms and societal unity, demonstrating an integrated approach to defense that spans both military and civilian sectors.
- The Han Kuang drills incorporate advanced US-delivered weapons like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Taiwan's indigenous Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles, signifying a blend of foreign and domestic defense technology in Taiwan's art of warfare.
