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American Military News
a day ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Taiwan holds annual live-fire, air raid drills that simulate Chinese attack
This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission. Air-raid sirens blared in Taipei and other cities in northern Taiwan on Thursday, part of annual drills testing the country's response to a potential invasion by China. Police stopped personal vehicles and public buses and directed pedestrians into shelters, such as basements and subway stations. Some shops and restaurants pulled down shutters and turned off lights, moves aimed to reduce their visibility during a potential nighttime attack. The drills also involved simulating wartime aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Earlier this week, Taiwanese forces held their largest-ever military drills, which included simulating a response to an amphibious invasion of the Penghu Islands. Troops fired Javelin missiles, machine guns and tank rounds at maritime targets. Taiwanese forces also conducted maritime drills around the Matsu Islands involving speed boats, drones and mortars. Soldiers fired from rubber speed boats and positions on shore, responding to a simulated 'grey zone harassment' of the islands by Chinese Coast Guard and fishing vessels. In an early morning drill, Taiwan's military police used Taipei's subway system as it simulated the redeployment of troops and supplies. Taiwan's military also practiced securing and defending a major bridge in Taipei. This time they were firing blanks. Taiwanese military officials said the Han Kuang drills replicate full combat conditions, including simulated enemy attacks on communications and command systems and a full-blown invasion scenario.
AllAfrica
a day ago
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Is Taiwan doing enough to repel a Chinese invasion?
The Han Kuang 2025 military exercises marked a major shift in how Taiwan prepares for war. For the first time, the annual national exercise combined ten days of live-fire combat training with a full-society readiness push. Civilians across all 22 counties and cities practiced air raid response, medical supply distribution, food rationing and emergency communications. On the military side, Taiwan deployed new US-supplied weapons including M1A2T Abrams tanks, HIMARS rocket artillery and upgraded coastal defense missiles. Drones, cyberattacks and joint command systems were tested more seriously than in previous years. This time, the preparation also moved into real-world spaces—Taipei Metro stations, morning markets and major intersections—bringing the public closer to the actual scenarios Taiwan could face. The simulation was no longer abstract; it was physical, visible and local. The political message was clear: Taiwan is preparing as if conflict could be real, and soon. Still, Han Kuang only covers the end game—what happens if China launches a full attack? It leaves a major gap at the beginning of the conflict. What happens when the threat is not missiles, but cyberattacks, disinformation, cable sabotage, or energy disruption? Taiwan is practicing for total war, but the grey zone is already here. This article examines what that preparation means. Is Taiwan able to hold the line alone before allies arrive? Is the public truly ready? What is the United States signaling through its support—and is it enough? Are Taiwan's regional partners building a defense that matches the threat? And finally, what must be done now, while there is still time to act? Taiwanese society has not always viewed Han Kuang with urgency. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was widely seen as symbolic—just a routine show of weapons, disconnected from any real threat. During calmer periods such as the Ma Ying-jeou presidency, the event was often criticized as out of sync with public sentiment, more about appearances than substance. The 2025 iteration felt different. Facing near-daily Chinese military pressure, the exercise received stronger support from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). President Lai Ching-te declared July as 'National Unity Month,' framing public participation as a democratic responsibility. DPP officials used the moment to send a message to both Beijing and Washington: Taiwan is not just waiting—it is actively preparing. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT), however, raised concerns. While not opposing the exercise outright, KMT lawmakers argued it lacked real coordination with allies and risked giving the public false confidence. Their position reflected a broader divide—between those promoting political resolve and those questioning its depth. Public opinion reflects this tension. About 67.8% of respondents say they are willing to fight for Taiwan, and 51% support increasing the defense budget—the first time that figure has passed 50%. Yet only 14% express strong confidence in the military's ability to fight effectively. The desire to be ready is growing, but belief in actual readiness remains limited. That gap deepened after several safety incidents during the exercise. A US-made M1A2 tank collided with a civilian vehicle. A missile transport vehicle blocked traffic while turning. An armored car flipped over in Taitung, injuring soldiers. No lives were lost, but the string of mishaps raised an uncomfortable question: if basic coordination breaks down in practice runs, how would it hold under attack? Critics pointed to weaknesses in logistics, communication, and execution—saying that appearances had improved, but fundamentals remained shaky. Han Kuang 2025 expanded civilian participation, introduced updated systems and signaled stronger political will. But confidence lags behind ambition. Planning still focuses on conventional military engagements, even as the more likely threats—cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage—remain underdeveloped. The island has shown it is willing to prepare. Whether that preparation is enough remains in question. Taiwan's military depends on the United States. Over 90% of its key weapons come from America, and its strategy is built on the idea that the US will show up if war breaks out. In 2025, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth named Taiwan the Pentagon's 'animating scenario,' putting it at the center of US global planning. A classified directive now tells the US military to focus more forces like submarines, bombers, drones and special ops to deter a Chinese cross-strait attack. But there's a big gap between what's said and what's done. Hegseth told allies at Shangri-La that the US would 'fight and win' if deterrence failed. But there's still no joint command, no large training together, and no clear plan to fight as one team. Admiral Mark Montgomery said 500 US troops are now in Taiwan—10 times more than in 2021—but they're just rotating trainers and are not believed to be a combat force. He even said it should double to 1,000. That's a signal, but not enough to change outcomes. Yes, the US Congress has backed Taiwan with real money. In FY2025, it approved $300 million in support, then $500 million for FY2026. It also passed an $8.1 billion Indo-Pacific bill, with $2 billion set aside just for Taiwan. Lawmakers keep voting in favor—most bills pass with over 300 House votes. But most of these efforts are stuck in slow delivery. Training programs and joint planning still haven't happened. Equipment orders are delayed. Taiwan buys, but it doesn't receive. This relationship is stuck. It runs on delays, speeches, and symbolic help. That might build headlines—but it doesn't build a war plan. The US says it stands with Taiwan, but the real structure to fight together still doesn't exist. Meanwhile, the enemy is not waiting. China runs exercises all the time. It prepares for war more often—and more seriously—than Taiwan or its partners. Right now, we are not keeping pace. Talisman Sabre 2025 was the largest military exercise in the Indo-Pacific this year. It involved 35,000 troops from 19 countries and 3 observers, training across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. The scenario was clear: a high-end conflict in East Asia, modeled on a potential Taiwan contingency. The US deployed its Typhon missile system to the region for the first time, while Australia launched HIMARS rockets in simulated counterstrikes. But Taiwan was not invited. The country most likely to be attacked and the one the whole exercise quietly centers on was excluded. While Japan and the Philippines trained as frontline participants and countries like the UK, France, Germany, India, and Singapore joined in supporting roles, Taiwan was left outside the coordination table. This disconnect carries real risk. A coalition may look strong on paper, but without practical planning that includes Taiwan, coordination in a crisis could fail. Military forces from across the Indo-Pacific are building habits and protocols together—while Taiwan is still preparing alone. Talisman Sabre was meant to signal readiness to Beijing. But it should also raise concern in Taipei. Taiwan's security is central to regional planning, yet it remains politically isolated from the exercises that matter most. That silence is not strategy. It is a vulnerability. Despite all the improvements, Taiwan is still getting ready on its own. There is no joint plan with allies for handling a breakdown in civil order. No shared response for economic attacks. No coordination for protecting digital systems. That silence feels familiar. It is what Ukraine faced when the war began and partners waited to see what Washington would do. This cannot happen again. The US will play a key role, but it cannot be the only one. Regional defense must take the lead, with US support as a partner, not a trigger. Allies keep preparing for a final large-scale war but are still ignoring the early warning signs that are already here. China is testing Taiwan daily through pressure, interference and slow-moving threats. Yet Indo-Pacific countries have not made clear commitments. Taiwan still does not know who will help, how or when. Taiwan's numbers show how urgent this is. The 2025 defense budget was about $20.25. That is just eight% of China's official defense spending and only 5% if we count estimates of China's full military budget at $390 billion. Even if Taiwan reaches its goal of spending 3% of its GDP in 2026, the number will still be under $25 billion—less than what China adds in a single year. Bigger budgets alone will not fix the problem. What matters more is faster coordination and stronger partnerships. Taiwan's partners are not moving fast enough. Han Kuang 2025 brought in 22,000 reservists and expanded civil defense. But it is still a national-level exercise trying to prepare for a regional war. There is no shared command, no joint cyber protection and no regional backup plan if Taiwan's economy or power systems are hit. China's Strait Thunder 2025A training had none of these gaps. It included blockades, power grid attacks, and missile strikes—clear signals of how it would fight. While China prepares for real conflict, Taiwan's partners are still stuck in speeches and rehearsals. Taiwan should raise its defense spending target to 3.4% of GDP. That extra 4.7 billion dollars should go directly to programs that help work with allies and respond to gray-zone threats. Han Kuang should not stay a solo effort. It should open the door to Japan, Australia, and South Korea so that they can plan and train together. The Pacific Deterrence Initiative should shift more funding to build real shared capabilities, not just US-led efforts. And the region needs a new group—modeled after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group—that includes Taiwan and meets regularly to share plans, intelligence, and logistics. Symbolic support is not enough. If a real strike comes, what matters is what is already in place. 2027 is no longer a distant warning. It's a schedule. China is not posturing. It is practicing, testing and moving with purpose. Every military action, cyber intrusion, and blockade rehearsal is aimed at one place: Taiwan. And everyone is watching—Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States. But no one watches more closely than China itself. Taiwan is running out of time. Defense planning must move faster than political debate. Real preparation has to replace signals. Taiwan must act before asking others to act with it. That means stronger training, better planning and deeper cooperation. The world is watching, and so is the enemy. Yenting Lin is a Master's student in Public Policy at George Mason University. He holds a B.A. and B.S. from National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. His research focuses on algorithmic hate speech, AI-driven misinformation, and their impact on national security and U.S.–Taiwan–China relations. His work has been featured in Small Wars Journal, American Intelligence Journal, and The Defence Horizon Journal. The views in this article are his own.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Taiwan is rehearsing for war and what it wants China and Trump to know
Taiwan is carrying out its largest military and civil defence drills to date, in response to growing threats from China. The 10-day Han Kuang exercises, which began on 9 July 2025, involve over 22,000 troops and thousands of civilians, including volunteers and emergency workers. The drills aim to test how well Taiwan can defend itself against a possible Chinese invasion. Government officials say the exercises are also designed to build public awareness and resilience in case of conflict. In the capital, Taipei, air raid sirens brought the city to a standstill. Civilian evacuations were practised in shops, schools, subways, and busy areas. BBC News reported that residents had to shelter indoors or risk fines, and traffic came to a halt as part of the Urban Resilience exercise. At a supermarket, The Independent quoted a 19-year-old student, Wu Huan Chung, who described a drill where staff reassured a shopper concerned about food shortages. 'They explained the store was keeping food in the basement for emergencies,' she said. Staff had also been trained in evacuation procedures and ways to calm crowds. Troops took part in amphibious landing drills, helicopter re-arming exercises, and city-based combat simulations. New weapons systems such as US-supplied Himars missile launchers and Abrams tanks were used during the drills, The Independent reported. President Lai Ching Te, who observed several drills in military uniform, said the goal was to avoid war by being ready for it. 'We hope by preparing for war, we can avoid war, to achieve the goal of peace,' he said, as quoted by BBC News. NOW HAPPENING: Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill in Taipei All civilians are required to shelter indoors. Buses halted to a stop during the drills, while trains continued service. The annual air raid drill comes as Taiwan conducts its largest military exercises to date. — Gino Lopez | 盧培德 (@ginollopez) July 17, 2025 The president added that building unity and public strength is key, 'With preparation, we have strength.' China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has criticised the drills. At a press conference, Chinese defence spokesperson Colonel Jiang Bing called the exercises 'a bluff and a self-deceiving trick' and said Taiwan could not stop China's goal of reunification. But Taiwanese lawmakers and civil society groups say the drills are essential. 'We are facing China, so we want to be well prepared,' said Fan Yun, a member of Taiwan's legislature, as quoted by The Independent. 'We are showing our ability to defend ourselves.' Some residents told BBC news that they believe the chances of a Chinese invasion are low. 'If they really wanted to invade us, they would have done it long ago,' said a 29-year-old finance worker named Ben. 'But I do believe we need these drills… every country needs to practise defence.' Others are less confident. 'There is just too big a difference in the strengths of China and Taiwan's militaries,' said Mr Xue, an office worker. 'There is no use defending ourselves.' Still, the drills have made emergency preparation part of everyday conversation. People are now discussing what food and medical supplies to store at home, and making plans with family in case of attack. This year, for the first time, Taiwan combined its military drills with large-scale civil defence exercises. These included mock rescue operations, bomb simulations, and training volunteers in first aid. One NGO worker told The Independent that these activities help raise awareness, especially among younger people. But she said it's still hard to talk with older generations about the possibility of war. 'If something really happens, questions like 'where should we meet' are an uncomfortable eventuality to prepare for,' she said. Taiwan's defence ministry has urged the public not to panic and to ignore misinformation about the drills. Officials hope the exercises will show both the people of Taiwan—and China—that the island is serious about its self-defence. As lawmaker Fan Yun put it, 'In Taiwan we say, the colour of your political party's flag does not matter, because a missile has no eyes.'
Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times
How Taiwan is preparing for Chinese invasion with sirens and drills
The alarm sounded for incoming missiles just as Yang Shu-ting was popping into her local supermarket. 'I just came to get my groceries,' she said. 'I'm 70 years old, so I always write a list of things I need in advance.' But her shopping was interrupted when the supermarket staff explained that a simulated Chinese air attack on Taipei was taking place. As sirens rang out across the aisles, Yang was guided into a basement where actors, planted in the crowd, pretended to faint. One woman acted out a panic attack, as shop assistants struggled to calm her down and administer CPR to a dummy. The drills form part of an elaborate rehearsal for what in the last few years has come to seem more and more likely: an invasion of the self-ruling island by China. Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to unify it with the mainland. Beginning earlier this month, the Taiwanese armed forces have conducted their biggest ever annual military drill. This year the Han Kuang exercises were bigger, longer and more elaborate than ever, lasting ten days and involving tests of Himars missile systems and newly acquired Abrams tanks, imported from the United States. They are intended as a signal to President Xi of China that Taiwan is prepared for war, but also a signal to citizens that the chance of conflict is rising, and Beijing's threat needs to be taken more seriously — part of a new 'whole-of-society resilience' plan being promoted by the Taiwanese government. Wang Ting-yu, an MP with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of President Lai, said: 'In the modern world, it's not all about the military. Taiwan, this small island of 23 million people — we are all under threat. 'We need to mobilise everything we have. We have soldiers, reserve forces, and our convenience stores will be the best logistics system during the conflict time.' RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA As well as increasing Taiwan's ability to respond to natural disasters, the integration of civilian and military sectors into emergency response planning is also a way to increase the cost that China's People's Liberation Army would incur if it were to invade Taiwan. Wang said: 'This is one way of multiple to deter conflict. Make your enemy realise we are ready for the worst scenario.' The drills are also designed as a message to the Trump administration that Taiwan is prepared to defend itself. Although the US is Taiwan's closest friend on the international stage and has committed itself to selling arms to the island, Washington does not recognise Taiwan diplomatically. It maintains a posture of strategic ambiguity about whether it would come to Taipei's aid if China were to invade. 'Our readiness is very important to our allies,' Wang said. More than 400 American observers have attended this year's Han Kuang drills. Rescuers and volunteers participate in the urban resilience exercises in Taipei RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA On Thursday, Taipei ground to a halt as the sound of air raid sirens filled the air. Phones vibrated as emergency messages were sent out: 'Enemy missile attack on northern Taiwan — seek shelter immediately.' Huang Rui-cheng, a representative from the Civil Defence Command and Control Centre, said: 'We've gradually shifted towards more physical, hands-on drills and exercises, allowing the public to slowly immerse themselves and experience it firsthand. We hope that through these drills, the public will understand how to evacuate and how to respond when circumstances arise.' But in the busy shopping district of Ximen, residents appeared more bored than worried. Although the government has emphasised that this year's drills would be taken more seriously, once ushered into nearby metro stations nobody followed the government-issued recommendations to crouch and protect their heads until the drill was over. Although the risk of Chinese military aggression is ever-present, in the minds of many in Taiwan, the existential threat often fades into the background of daily life. A survey by Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research in March suggested that only a third of those surveyed viewed China as Taiwan's top national security threat. Another study conducted in November last year found that almost half felt 'indifferent' in the face of Chinese military exercises. 'If a real war broke out, all this practice is fine, but it doesn't really serve much purpose,' said Hsu Ah-yao, a local shop worker. 'I also think it's a hassle — feels kind of like a waste of resources.' Others in Ximen explained they had specifically made lunch plans during the exercise, so that they wouldn't be inconvenienced by the rules preventing people from walking the streets. Despite the disruption to her shopping, Yang supported the exercises. 'I think today's event was good,' she said, as she checked the contents of her shopping bag after the evacuation. 'It raises awareness about where our evacuation points are. Then when the time comes, we can co-operate, follow the guidance, and stay calm,' she said.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Taiwan helps the public prepare for a possible Chinese invasion
Taiwan conducted its annual Han Kuang military drills, lasting 10 days from 9 July, involving over 22,000 reservists in an unprecedented mobilisation. The exercises, observed by President Lai Ching Te, simulated defence against a potential Chinese invasion, including airfield assaults, urban warfare, and amphibious landings. The drills aimed to strengthen Taiwan's defences, counter China 's 'grey zone tactics', and utilised recently supplied US weapons like Abrams M1A2T tanks, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) and waterborne drones. Beyond military readiness, the exercises involved civil defence groups and local officials, educating the public on preparedness for scenarios such as food shortages and air raid alerts. China condemned the drills as a 'bluffing and self-deceiving trick' and responded with significant 'harassment operations' around Taiwan's air and sea domains.
