TAIPEI — Taiwan said on Wednesday that military drills next month would involve the largest-ever mobilization of reservists for the annual exercises, which are being extended to improve the island’s response to China’s “gray zone” harassment.
BEACH BOYS Taiwanese soldiers disembark from an AAV7 amphibious assault vehicle during a landing drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Pingtung county, southern Taiwan, on July 28, 2022. EPA FILE PHOTO
Beijing insists that democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.
The Han Kuang exercises, which Taipei’s defense ministry said would be held from July 9 to 18, are conducted every year across Taiwan to train its armed forces as China ramps up military pressure on the island.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo told the island’s parliament that as many as 22,000 reservists would be called up to take part in the exercises, up from 14,647 last year.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
“Our main objective is to verify how much time it takes for a reserve brigade to regain full combat capability after being called up,” Koo said.
Taiwan maintains a standing call-up system to train its reservists. This year, the mobilization will be expanded as part of the Han Kuang drills.
Advertisement
The defense ministry also said the annual exercises would be extended to 10 days and nine nights, compared with five days and four nights last year.
Koo said the most significant change would be the inclusion of “gray zone harassment” scenarios, simulating a military escalation based on “regional developments.”
Taiwan accuses China of using “gray zone” tactics — actions that fall short of an act of war — to weaken its defenses.
Beijing regularly deploys fighter jets, warships and coast guard ships near Taiwan, and has held several major military exercises around the island in recent years.
Advertisement
The Taiwanese reservists to be called up will undergo a full 14-day training program, 10 days of which will be dedicated to participation in the drills.
In March, the defense ministry said it would simulate possible scenarios for a Chinese invasion in 2027 during Han Kuang drills.
Officials in the United States, Taipei’s main backer and biggest arms supplier, previously cited that year as a possible timeline for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
