Taiwan's Han Kuang War Games: Simulating Real Combat Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan has commenced its annual Han Kuang war games, aiming to simulate real combat conditions without scripts to repel potential Chinese attacks. Anti-landing drills and various military exercises are being held, while China continues to pressure Taiwan with its own war games and grey zone tactics.

Taiwan kicked off its annual Han Kuang war games on Monday, with anti-landing drills on a strategic river marking the start. This year's exercises focus on real combat scenarios to repel a hypothetical Chinese attack, moving away from scripted displays.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has conducted regular military exercises around the island for four years to pressure Taipei into accepting Beijing's claims. Taiwan, however, stands firm in its objections.

The current drills emphasize unscripted maneuvers, nighttime exercises, and operations with severed command lines. Soldiers have been practicing laying mines and nets to slow enemy advancement. Military official Chang Chih-pin stated that the goal is to delay enemy forces as much as possible.

In Taoyuan, near Taipei, reservists and civilian vehicles were mobilized as they would be in wartime. Taoyuan airport will temporarily close for drills later this week, despite the potential impact of an approaching typhoon.

Live fire drills are confined to outlying islands like Kinmen and Matsu, historically critical locations. Concurrently, Wan'an civil defense drills will simulate Chinese missile attacks, evacuating major city streets and activating test alarms.