TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The military will test mine-laying capabilities during the live-fire portion of this year’s Han Kuang 42 exercise in August.
Part of the exercise will simulate Chinese airstrikes and amphibious assaults, per Liberty Times. Taiwan’s armed forces will conduct mock joint operations to secure air superiority, defend key areas against missile attacks, carry out littoral strikes, and conduct coastal defense, including mine laying.
Han Kuang 42 assumes China would prepare for an invasion of Taiwan under the guise of a blockade. As a result, the exercise will focus on early warning, rapid response, integrated intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and decentralized command.
The Navy acquired four domestically built Min Jiang-class rapid minelaying ships in 2020 and 2021, and awarded a contract to Lung Teh Shipbuilding for six additional ships last year.
Each vessel can carry 32-64 domestically produced Wan Hsiang naval mines, which are deployed from four fixed mine-laying tracks in the midship and aft sections. The mines can be launched manually or remotely.
Meanwhile, the Army will receive all 14 Volcano mine-laying systems later this year. The system features timed detonation and magnetic sensors. The mines are easily recognizable and removable, minimizing the risk to friendly forces and civilians.
With these two weapons systems, Taiwan can rapidly deploy mines in its waters and along its coast to block and delay Chinese forces.
