TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Armed Forces kicked off the weeklong 40th annual Han Kuang military exercise on Monday (July 22).
Military aircraft such as F-16s, IDF fighters, and C130 transport aircraft stationed at air force bases in western Taiwan began deployment to Hualien’s Jiashan Air Force Base and Taitung’s Chihhang Air Force Base to participate in live fire drills.
Missile vehicles and launchers were also deployed, arousing the interest of many citizens who seemed surprised by the deployment. Since the military exercise was designed to simulate real combat and operate "unscripted," no advanced news of military aircraft movement was made available to the public, per CNA.
This year’s Han Kuang military exercise will only use real ammunition in exercises on the outer islands of Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
Military units in Taiwan proper will conduct exercises without live ammunition, and no highway emergency takeoff or landing drills are scheduled.
Exercises are intended to simulate actual combat, with no pre-rehearsals or advanced practice. Troops will be focused on verifying the rules of engagement and operating with decentralized command and control.
Other areas of emphasis include mission-based command, neutralizing the enemy, combat effectiveness verification, and night training. Other important elements include system innovation and training.
Along with the Han Kuang military exercise, the annual air raid drill will be held from July 22 to 25 throughout the country in different regions depending on the day.
