The 36th annual Han Kuang military exercise got underway July 13 in several locations around Taiwan, with the opening day testing the armed forces’ ability to repel the first wave of an enemy attack, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
It involved coordinated deployments of army, air force and navy units, as well as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense drill with civilian medical teams, the MND said, adding the remaining four days will focus on various live-fire battlefield scenarios including anti-airborne and -seaborne landing drills.
These will feature some of the country’s most advanced weaponry including the F-16V and Mirage 2000 fighter jets and indigenous stealth missile corvette Tuo Chiang, the ministry said, adding that a computer-simulated war game is scheduled for Sept. 14-18.
A 500-strong joint battalion is also set to make its debut during the exercise. Established in September 2019, the unit comprises armored and infantry troops; liaison officers from the air force, army and navy; as well as missile and unmanned aerial vehicle operators.
In a post on her official Facebook account, President Tsai Ing-wen said the exercise highlights the progress made toward military reform under her administration. She called on the public to maintain its enthusiastic support for those serving in the country’s armed forces. (SFC-E)
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