Taiwan has commenced its largest-ever annual military exercises, the Han Kuang drills, designed to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion and blockade. The 10-day exercises include simulated attacks on Taiwan's military command systems and infrastructure, urban warfare training, and live-fire drills featuring the debut of 38 U.S.-supplied M1A2T Abrams tanks. The drills also involve strategic logistics operations using Taipei's metro system for troop and munitions movement, including the use of FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles. Additionally, Taiwan conducted its annual air-raid drill in Taipei and other northern cities, involving sirens, mandatory street evacuations, and sheltering to prepare civilians for potential Chinese missile attacks. President Lai Ching-te has emphasized that Taiwan is already facing China's "war without gun smoke," highlighting the ongoing pressure from Beijing. These exercises aim to test and enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities, resilience, and readiness amid escalating tensions with China.
Taiwan is under no illusions that a war with China would be a lengthy struggle. This year's summer military and civil defense exercises are likely not only intended to test Taiwanese defense systems and identify areas for improvement, but also to send a strategic message to the https://t.co/qFUOgfZl6s
Taiwan se prepara para possível invasão chinesa: “nosso foco é a defesa” https://t.co/sDryxwFr5t https://t.co/4U0Dn56vzX
Sirens wail, cities shut down as Taiwan simulates Chinese air raid https://t.co/kWziVIpExi https://t.co/kWziVIpExi