This year’s iteration of the Han Kuang exercise ran for 10 days. Building on recent efforts to address longstanding criticisms of the scripted nature of the exercises, the 42nd edition focused on decentralization, societal resilience and countering key elements of China’s invasion strategy.
For the second consecutive year, Han Kuang placed continuity under attack at the center of the exercise. Military units rehearsed maintaining command and acting independently during severe disruption, while government agencies and essential services tested their ability to continue operating.
These efforts illustrate how Taiwan is transforming Han Kuang from a choreographed performance into a more realistic test of wartime readiness and of its capacity to withstand a prolonged attack.
Han Kuang 42 continued several trends from last year: the mobilization of approximately 20,000 reservists and their organization into brigade-level deployments, as well as the conduct of urban warfare operations.
A broader and better inclusion of reservists is essential for Taiwan should an invasion unfold, and its recurrence in this year’s iteration is a positive development for Taiwan’s preparedness.
Strategic reassessment
Other points also deserve close attention, as they underscore important changes.
First, a strategic reassessment of the nation’s outlying islands is taking place. Green Island and Orchid Island, southeast of the main island, have long been perceived as having limited strategic value.
This premise is slowly eroding. Recent military drills that preceded Han Kuang 42 had highlighted the growing understanding that both Green Island and Orchid Island could serve as logistical bases should China capture them.
Hence, on the second day, 100 fully armed troops boarded from Taitung and headed to Green Island and Orchid Island. There, the troops trained to establish defense positions and conducted drone reconnaissance exercises.
The emphasis on outlying islands and the sea surrounding Taiwan is also reflected in the recent establishment of the Littoral Combat Command that seeks to integrate the Navy’s mobile radar units, and unmanned aerial vehicles under a unified force. During Han Kuang 42, the Littoral Combat Command notably took part in exercises on the Penghu Islands to test an asymmetric defense network.
This focus on the locations most vulnerable to a Chinese invasion is further reinforced by the Danjiang Bridge blockade that also took place on the second day. The bridge, north of Taipei was closed for the first time to simulate a defensive blockade and prevent enemy forces from advancing toward Taipei.
Whole-of-society
Danjiang Bridge lies at the mouth of the Tamsui River, which is surrounded by red beaches –– defined as ideal spots for potential PLA amphibious operations. Including it in this year’s military drills underlines the importance that closing critical routes takes on to slow down the enemy’s advancement.
Given Taiwan’s unfriendly geography to intruders, comprising the Central Mountain Range and rice paddies, bridges are central strategic elements that could profoundly disrupt any invasion should they become inaccessible.
This year’s exercises also stressed the importance of strengthening civil-military coordination and integration. Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience called for better cooperation between civilians and the military. Han Kuang 42 responded by showing how these efforts could be operationalized.
Notable examples included the use of civilian trucks for military vehicle transportation and roadblock installations, collaboration with local businesses to distribute trustworthy information, and wartime medical preparations.
Han Kuang 42 also introduced US-inspired rehearsal methods such as the back briefing, where a subordinate briefs the higher commander after receiving any instructions. The intent here is to enhance communications and decision-making.
Finally, Taiwan also simulated for the first time an internet slowdown for 30 minutes across Taipei and the northern part of the island, to test communication disruption.
Right way forward
Overall, Han Kuang 42 represents a step in the right direction to strengthen Taiwan’s resilience and preparedness. Importantly, this year’s exercises also covered repeated patterns displayed during the Chinese military drills that have taken place around Taiwan since 2022.
Kaohsiung has emerged as a key location in the PLA’s strategy, as the city hosts key military facilities such as Zuoying Naval Base and Gangshan Air Base, and Taiwan’s largest international commercial harbor.
This year, military units trained to block a road near Kaohsiung International Airport to simulate the defense of key transportation hubs, while Taiwan's Fourth Theater Command deployed troops to Liuqiu Island, located southwest of Kaohsiung, for the first time.
Moreover, on the first day, President Lai Qing-te (賴清德) participated in an anti-decapitation drill, in which he was escorted to the National Political and Military Operations Command Center in Taipei's Dazhi neighborhood.
Given that the PLA has been practicing on a mock replica of the Presidential Office for years, enhancing preparedness to ensure the continuity of government during an invasion is essential.
Finally, airdrops have been identified as a way for China to overcome Taiwan’s geography and the complexity of an amphibious operation. This year, the military conducted anti-airdrop drills in Taipei and Miaoli. Notably, the Military Police Reserve Brigade participated in an anti-airdrop exercise around Taipei Songshan Airport.
Lack of allies
Anti-airdrop drills are particularly relevant for defense preparedness. In an invasion scenario, should China succeed in suppressing Taiwan’s air defenses, airdropped armored vehicles could help Chinese forces seize ports and airfields, opening multiple fronts deep inside Taiwan.
Han Kuang 42 provides evidence that Taiwan is learning from previous exercises and from the PLA’s activities around its coasts. It highlighted the integration of new communication methods, greater emphasis on outlying islands, and the first joint anti-blockade drill between the Navy and the Coast Guard.
While some areas such as cybersecurity and countering a Chinese blockade require greater emphasis, the fact that national defense is adapting and strengthening its response to external threats is a positive development. One major shortcoming, however, remains visible after each Han Kuang iteration: the lack of allies.
Taiwan is working toward military readiness if an invasion unfolds. However, we cannot expect it to repel an attack by itself. Han Kuang exercises would benefit from conducting joint exercises and building cohesion between Taiwan, the US, and other potential allies — yet, Taiwan remains isolated.
It is also important to note that despite the positive developments in Taiwan’s preparedness, Han Kuang exercises exist only because its society lives with the constant threat of being invaded. Hopefully, Taiwan’s efforts can resonate among democracies and foster a broader understanding of what is at stake for more than 23 million people.
