TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will test relocating weapons production lines and converting civilian factories for military use during the Aug. 5–14 Han Kuang 42 exercise, which will simulate a Chinese invasion under the guise of routine military drills, Reuters reported.
The aim is to determine whether Taiwan can disperse factory production while still producing enough supplies to support its military during a war, per Reuters. If a conflict broke out, China would likely target Taiwan’s command centers, logistics infrastructure, and defense facilities.
Major General Lu Wen-yuan (呂文元), head of the military’s Joint Operations Division, said Tuesday that the Armaments Bureau’s 202nd Arsenal would be moved out of Taipei and civilian factories would begin assembling military equipment once a mock emergency order is given.
The exercise will also assess whether Taiwan can keep key shipping routes open and safely deliver essential supplies. Lu said the Navy and Coast Guard will hold joint live-fire drills, including coastal defense operations, maritime law enforcement, and protection of supply ships.
About 20,000 reserve and active-duty troops will take part, Lieutenant General Yu Wen-chen (俞文鎮) said, according to Liberty Times. Reservists will undergo 14-day training cycles to validate sustained combat operations and full mobilization procedures.
Urban resilience drills will also be held in Kaohsiung and Pingtung County on Aug. 7, and in New Taipei and Yilan County on Aug. 13, per Liberty Times.
