Taiwan began its largest military exercises yet on Monday, Reuters reported. The island is conducting simulated attacks on its own command systems and critical infrastructure in preparation for a possible Chinese invasion, News.bg reports.
The first phases of the annual “Han Kuang“ maneuvers are focused on testing the military's ability to decentralize command in the event of severe communications disruptions caused by enemy interference. Over the next ten days, the exercises will expand to assess Taiwan's overall combat readiness in a large-scale military scenario.
“We are learning from the war in Ukraine and thinking realistically about what Taiwan can expect in the event of an armed conflict,“ said a senior Taiwanese defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said protecting communications infrastructure was key to maintaining operational capacity.
The scenarios also include so-called “gray zone“ hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, which Taiwanese authorities say are likely to precede actual military action.
This year, “Han Kuang“ will involve a record number of reservists, about 22,000. For the first time, the US HIMARS mobile missile systems, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, will be used, as well as Taiwanese surface-to-air missiles Sky Sword.
China, which considers democratically-ruled Taiwan as its territory, has increased military pressure over the past five years through exercises and daily patrols near the island. Beijing has never given up on the option of using force to achieve control, and a possible military conflict could trigger a wider regional escalation.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said it expected the Chinese military to closely monitor the exercises. As of 6:00 a.m., 31 Chinese aircraft and seven naval ships had been spotted near the island. About 24 of the planes crossed the median line, the unofficial maritime border between the two countries.
The drills will involve 24-hour joint operations by Taiwan's land, navy and air forces to defend its coastline. They will also include civil defense, the construction of emergency supply points and the use of recently renovated bomb shelters.
In response, China's Ministry of Defense dismissed the drills as a "bluff". "No matter what weapons Taiwan uses, it cannot withstand the sharp sword of the People's Liberation Army," spokesman Jiang Bin said.
Taiwanese authorities have stressed that the purpose of the drills is to send a clear message to both China and the international community that the island is determined to defend itself and represents an unpredictable and prepared adversary.