Taiwan starts 10-day Han Kuang drills to prepare for possible China invasion

Taipei,UPDATED: Aug 5, 2026 15:12 IST

Taiwan on Wednesday began its annual Han Kuang military exercises, with this year’s 10-day drills focused on preparing for a possible Chinese invasion and testing how long its forces can sustain defence operations. The exercises will also examine how the island responds to China’s “grey-zone tactics”, which fall short of open warfare, and how the public copes with disruption to internet services.

The drills, to be held at various locations across the island, will also test new communication methods inspired by the United States, the mobilisation of Taiwan’s biggest-ever reservist force for the exercise, and the use of newly acquired American-made tanks. The broader backdrop remains heightened pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own and has stepped up military activity near the island in recent years.

Among the main features this year are communication drills that include backbriefs, in which subordinates explain to commanders how they plan to carry out assigned missions. Experts say this is intended to help front-line fighters become more self-reliant and effective in battle.

The exercise will also mobilise more than 5,000 reservists across two brigades, the largest number so far. Last year’s Han Kuang drills involved one brigade of more than 3,000 reservists. The latest exercise will test how quickly reserve forces can move from peacetime standby mode to full active duty.

Another major component is urban resilience. These drills will be held on different days in Kaohsiung, Taichung and the capital, Taipei. During the exercise, mobile internet speeds will be reduced for about 30 minutes to simulate telecommunications interference during an attack.

Military equipment being tested includes the M1A2T Abrams tanks newly acquired by Taiwan. Taiwan bought 108 of the tanks from the US in 2019, and the last batch arrived in April. Taiwan sources most of its weapons from the US, which remains the island’s main informal backer in the face of China’s territorial claims.

Beijing regards democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province that can be retaken by force if necessary. In recent years, it has intensified military pressure by sending aircraft and warships near the island almost daily.

Taiwan’s parliament recently approved a supplementary defence budget of USD 24.8 billion for the purchase of US arms, lower than President Lai Ching-te’s proposal of USD 40 billion. The government is also waiting for the US to clear a USD 14 billion arms sale package that has been delayed for months. US President Donald Trump and the US Congress had earlier approved a separate USD 11 billion package, but after travelling to China in May, Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a “good negotiating chip” with Beijing and did not approve the newer proposal.

Overall, the Han Kuang exercises are meant to test Taiwan’s military readiness, reserve mobilisation, battlefield communications and civilian response, as the island strengthens its preparations amid continued pressure from China.

With PTI Inputs

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