Taiwan initiated its annual "Han Kuang" military exercises on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, marking the island's largest military drill aimed at preparing its population and forces for a possible Chinese invasion. The exercises, running through August 14, include combat scenarios for troops and reservists to practice responding to attacks on the island, according to defense officials.

Civilians are also participating in drills that involve temporary slowdowns of mobile internet speeds and air raid preparedness, exposing the public to potential communication disruptions during conflict. On the first day, dozens of reservists positioned along a beach facing the Taiwan Strait fired Taiwanese-made assault rifles at targets representing possible Chinese landing sites.

A senior defense official, speaking anonymously on the eve of the drills, emphasized that recent iterations of the Han Kuang exercises have been designed to closely simulate real combat scenarios, allowing units to test operational capabilities without actual warfare. Defence Minister Wellington Koo commented, "Training can always be better," highlighting ongoing efforts to improve readiness.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize the island, home to 23 million people. In recent years, Beijing has increased military pressure by deploying fighter jets and warships around Taiwan almost daily and conducting large-scale drills.

The exercises also incorporate reconnaissance and attack drones working in coordination with other attack methods, and assess the capacity of mobilized factories to support wartime production. Taiwan aims to continue upgrading its national defense and building a whole-of-society resilience against potential threats.

Sources

France 24 English