Preparations are underway for the live-fire Han Kuang war games. The drill starts July 24, but troops are already rehearsing scenarios like the defense of crucial infrastructure. For the first time, the drill will include the reclaiming of a Taoyuan oil refinery from enemy forces. Pilots will also requisition commercial airports for emergency takeoff and landing. We hear from the defense ministry.
Lin Wen-huang
MND combat and planning affairs director
At Taoyuan International Airport, we’re targeting the enemy threat and our scenario projections, conducting anti-aircraft landing drills based on those. Fengnian Airport in Taitung will serve primarily as a backup airport. We will conduct aircraft takeoffs and landings there, along with rearming operations for maintaining air combat capabilities. In the face of the CCP’s military designs on Taiwan, we have long stopped defining certain regions as “front lines” or “rear guards.” Our scenarios are designed based on the reality of the enemy threat, so that we can conduct realistic drills of battle plans.
At a beach in New Taipei’s Bali District, reporters got an early look at this year’s anti-landing operations. Excavators worked back and forth on the beach, building a large section of fortification to block enemy forces. Discarded oil drums and barbed wire were set up to deter the mock enemy from reaching Taipei after landing.
