The Bottom Line Upfront

On July 22, 2024, Taiwan initiated its annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taoyuan with an emphasis on realistic combat scenarios.

The Breakdown

  • This year's drills aim to simulate the repulsion of a potential Chinese attack and feature unscripted elements such as nighttime operations and managing disrupted command lines.
  • Concurrently, Wan'an civil defense exercises are being held to prepare civilians for evacuations during missile attacks.
  • These drills underscore Taiwan's proactive stance amid increasing Chinese military activity around the island, signaling preparedness against potential threats.
  • Live fire drills will take place on Taiwan’s outlying islands.
  • Civilian involvement is heightened through simultaneous Wan'an civil defense exercises.
  • With China's ongoing pressure in the region, these comprehensive military maneuvers reflect Taipei's commitment to bolstering national security and readiness.
  • The live drills have followed the sighting of a record number of Chinese warplanes in Taiwan's airspace earlier this month. As of the time of this report, Taiwan states that Chinese People's Liberation Army near its sovereign space is surging.