Taiwan launches major war games to test command flexibility
Taiwan has launched its annual 10-day Han Kuang military exercises to test command flexibility and operational readiness against potential Chinese aggression. The drills include new measures such as civilian internet throttling and U.S.-style communication protocols to ensure synchronization during wartime scenarios.
Why it matters
These exercises highlight the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the island's strategic shift toward preparing for a potential blockade or invasion by China.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan began major military drills Wednesday to test commanders’ ability to fight on the fly when enemy movements defy expectations, while temporarily limiting internet access for the first time, senior Taiwan officials said. The 10-day annual Han Kuang exercise began early in the morning after an underground command center in Taipei issued the drill order, triggering combat-readiness moves that will include fighter jet dispersals and emergency naval deployments, two senior Taiwan officials briefed on the matter told Reuters. Taiwan will also incorporate for the first time a so-called backbrief approach modeled on U.S. military practice, in which junior officers receiving orders restate mission details to commanders — a move aimed at improving coordination, the officials added, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
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