Taiwan Launches Largest-Ever Military Drills Amid Rising Tensions with China

Taiwan begins largest military exercise

Taiwan on Wednesday began its largest-ever military exercises, simulating attacks on critical command systems and infrastructure in preparation for a potential Chinese invasion, according to senior defense officials.

The opening phase of the annual Han Kuang exercises focused on testing the military’s ability to decentralize command in the event of a communications blackout. Over the next ten days, the drills will escalate to assess Taiwan’s readiness for a full-scale conflict.

"We are learning from the situation in Ukraine in recent years and realistically thinking about what Taiwan might face ... in real combat," one senior defense official stated, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding command and communication lines. The official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the drills, added that field commanders are being trained to anticipate challenges and disseminate contingency plans to their units.

Taiwan views cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns as likely precursors to broader aggression from China, which continues to increase military pressure on the island. These tactics fall under the category of "grey zone" operations—hostile activities that remain below the threshold of open warfare.

This year’s Han Kuang exercises mobilize the largest number of reservists in history—about 22,000—and feature, for the first time, U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from Lockheed Martin, as well as Taiwan-developed Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles. Reserve troops were seen training in converted classrooms at a junior high school in Taoyuan, practicing with mortars and rifles.

China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, has conducted increasingly aggressive military maneuvers around the island over the past five years, including near-daily incursions and full-scale war games. Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, and any assault could trigger a wider regional conflict.

By 6 a.m. Wednesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 31 Chinese aircraft sorties and seven naval ships, with 24 of the aircraft crossing the median line—the unofficial boundary in the Taiwan Strait.

In a further escalation, China’s Ministry of Commerce added eight Taiwanese companies to its export control list, banning them from selling dual-use products. The list includes Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), a key player in Taiwan’s defense industry.

The Han Kuang drills will also test Taiwan’s civil defense readiness, including the establishment of emergency supply stations and the use of newly expanded air-raid shelters. Planned military maneuvers include 24-hour army, navy, and air force operations focused on defending coastal regions.

Chinese officials condemned the exercises. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s opposition to U.S.-Taiwan military ties, warning that Taiwan’s reliance on foreign military aid “will never succeed.” Meanwhile, China’s defense ministry dismissed the drills as “nothing but a bluff,” claiming that “no matter what weapons are used, Taiwan can’t resist the People’s Liberation Army’s sharp sword against independence.”

Despite such rhetoric, Taiwanese officials insisted the drills demonstrate their commitment to self-defense and their determination to resist external threats. The exercises are being closely monitored by regional military attaches and analysts for signs of improved resilience and to gauge China’s potential reaction.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te and his administration maintain that Taiwan’s future must be decided by its own people, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims.