Taiwan launched its largest-ever military exercises on July 9, beginning with simulated attacks on key command and communication systems as the island prepares for the possibility of a full-scale Chinese assault. The annual Han Kuang war games, scheduled to span 10 days, are designed to test the Taiwanese military’s ability to function under degraded conditions and maintain a decentralized command structure during wartime.

“We are learning from the situation in Ukraine... and realistically thinking about what Taiwan might face,” a senior defense official said, highlighting the emphasis on cyber defense and resilience against communication disruptions.

Reservists, New Systems Feature Prominently

The 2025 edition of Han Kuang mobilizes the largest number of reservists to date—some 22,000—and, for the first time, deploys U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Taiwan’s locally developed Sky Sword surface-to-air missiles. In one drill, 300 reservists trained in a converted junior high school in Taoyuan, learning to use mortars and rifles in a civilian facility repurposed for wartime operations.

Future phases of the exercises will test 24-hour joint army, navy, and air operations aimed at repelling an amphibious landing and defending critical infrastructure.

Beijing Escalates Pressure, Condemns Drills

China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, responded to the exercises with rhetorical and economic pressure. The Ministry of Commerce blacklisted eight Taiwanese companies, including Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, for alleged violations of export rules. Beijing also sent 31 aircraft sorties and seven naval ships near Taiwan’s air and maritime zones; 24 of those aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese officials dismissed the exercises as posturing. “No matter what weapons are used, Taiwan can't resist the People’s Liberation Army’s sharp sword against independence,” said defense ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin.

Civil Defense and International Messaging

The drills are also testing Taiwan’s civil defense preparedness, including the setup of emergency supply stations and the use of newly expanded air-raid shelters. Defense officials said the intention is to show both Taiwan’s population and the international community that the island is serious about its defense.

President Lai Ching-te’s administration has taken a firm stance against Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that only the Taiwanese people have the right to decide their future.