'Ninth day of Han Kuang exercises witnesses hot refueling operations and urban resilience drills'
In the ninth day of the Han Kuang exercises, the Army's 601 and 602 Aviation Brigades are participating in a series of drills aimed at enhancing military readiness and efficiency. The focus of these exercises is on defending and resisting an invading force, particularly in the Greater Taipei Area.
Yesterday, air raid alarms sounded at 1.30pm, with all vehicles required to stop and pedestrians ordered to seek shelter and follow directions from officials. The drills were part of a broader effort to test the military's ability to defend against invading forces and repair damaged equipment while maintaining operational tempo.
One of the key aspects of these drills is the practice of 'hot refueling', a technique where military aircraft or helicopters are refueled and rearmed while their engines are still running. This allows the aircraft to quickly return to action, ensuring rapid response capabilities in the face of an enemy advance.
The drills, which involve the Army's AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, were conducted in central Taichung City and in Taiwan's east and outlying islands today. The 601 Aviation Brigade, based in Taichung's Tungshih District, and the 602 Aviation Brigade, based in New Taipei City's Shulin District, are leading these operations.
Meanwhile, the Taiwanese armed forces have been responding to increased Chinese military activity. From 6am yesterday to 6am today, 58 Chinese aircraft were detected around Taiwan, with 45 crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line and entering Taiwan's air defense identification zones. Ten Chinese naval vessels were also monitored operating in the Taiwan Strait.
In response, Taiwan's patrol aircraft, navy vessels, and coastal missile systems were deployed. In addition, urban resilience drills started today at 1.30pm in northern Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Yilan County, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu. During these drills, the urban resilience command team conducted air defense evacuation and shelter drills at the Tucheng (土城) District Office, MRT, and a supermarket in New Taipei City.
In Sansia District (三峽), the team simulated disaster relief of critical infrastructure at a water plant. Fines could range from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$1,018 to US$5,092) for those failing to comply with directions.
The Han Kuang exercises overall aim to improve urban resilience and the military's ability to resist an invasion, focusing on defending the Greater Taipei Area and other strategic locations. The drills include scenarios where military units must defend against a potential enemy landing and advance, while also practicing critical support operations like 'hot refueling' to ensure continuous combat readiness.
These exercises are a significant part of Taiwan's defence strategy, demonstrating the island's commitment to maintaining its security and sovereignty in the face of increasing regional tensions.
The current political climate in the region has been escalated by war-and-conflicts, as demonstrated by the increased Chinese military activity and the ongoing Han Kuang exercises in Taiwan. The drills, which encompass various aspects of general-news such as urban resilience, military readiness, and 'hot refueling' techniques, are aimed at enhancing the military's ability to defend against invading forces and maintain operational tempo, particularly in the Greater Taipei Area.
