TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The military will call up 20,000 reservists for the Han Kuang 41 drills planned for July, reports said Tuesday.

Their tasks will include two weeks of training with guns, Radio Taiwan International reported. The reservists will practice shooting different types while standing, kneeling, and lying on the ground.

Last year’s military exercises, including Han Kuang 40, saw 14,647 reservists take part, a rise of 2,000 from 2023. The transformation of the reservist system was one of 11 key priorities for the military in 2024, the Ministry of National Defense said.

Elements of the plan, including responses to more realistic wartime situations and a better coordination of joint defense efforts, are also part of the 2025 program.

The ministry said that to improve recruitment, it has signed agreements with 118 colleges and 420 high schools. The campaign has contributed to achieving 95.1% of recruitment targets. 

In addition, 82% of the recruits have signed on to extend their contracts, exceeding the ministry’s target of 76%.