TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Fourth Theater Command deployed troops to Xiaoliuqiu for the first time on Thursday to test cross-sea mobility during the Han Kuang 42 exercise.
On the second day of the exercise, the command transported personnel, weapons, equipment, and supplies by sea to the island, CNA reported. Troops then quickly established a forward combat outpost, testing cross-sea mobility and strengthening early warning and overall defense resilience.
The command said troops moved into tactical positions after landing in accordance with operational plans and constructed defensive fortifications, according to Liberty Times. They strengthened air defense warning and counter-drone measures while continuing to monitor surrounding waters and airspace using drones and other surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.
The command said Xiaoliuqiu’s location allows effective monitoring of nearby waters, ports, and shipping lanes, per Liberty Times. By integrating offshore defense with the overall defense plan, the drill tested command and control capabilities and rapid response.
This year's exercise follows a continuous scenario format to strengthen troops' ability to respond under realistic battlefield conditions.
Elsewhere, the Fifth Theater Command carried out a pre-dawn maneuver mission, deploying M60A3 tanks and CM33 armored vehicles to preserve combat power under simulated threats, per CNA.
The Third Theater Command conducted port protection drills in Keelung, simulating enemy special forces attempting to infiltrate and seize control of the port. CM32 and CM34 Clouded Leopard armored vehicles and troops were deployed, using 30 mm cannons and T91 rifles to neutralize the simulated enemy and secure the port, CNA said.
The Second Theater Command staged port defense drills at Hualien Harbor, simulating enemy forces attempting to breach the port and seize critical facilities. Units rapidly deployed to tactical positions to conduct perimeter security, target searches, and firepower deployment.
