Taiwan’s largest annual military drills, the Han Kuang exercises, will be significantly extended this year, reflecting growing concerns over potential Chinese military aggression. The 41st edition of these war games will span two weeks of computerized tabletop simulations and 10 days of live-fire drills, marking a considerable expansion compared to previous years.
The exercises, designed to test Taiwan’s defense capabilities against a potential invasion by China, will be held in two stages: tabletop wargames from April 5-18 and live-fire drills from July 9-18.
Historic Expansion of the han kuang 2025 Drills
According to Major General Tung Chi-hsing (董冀星), director of the Ministry of National Defense’s (MND) joint operations planning division, the 14-day computer-aided war games will be the longest ever conducted by Taiwan’s military. Previously, such simulations lasted five to eight days, making this year’s two-week duration unprecedented.
These simulations will be conducted using the United States-built Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS) platform, which allows for complex multi-scenario modeling of war situations. The extended timeframe will enable Taiwan’s military to better prepare for real-world crisis management by incorporating lessons learned from past exercises and emerging threats in the region.
The wargames will simulate a surprise invasion by China, in which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) transforms routine military drills or gray-zone operations into an actual attack on Taiwan. The objective is to test Taiwan’s ability to respond to an unanticipated escalation in hostilities, a scenario defense analysts have warned is increasingly plausible.
Live-Fire Drills: Unscripted and Realistic
The live-fire portion, scheduled for July 9-18, will take place across Taiwan and its offshore islands, featuring personnel from all branches of the armed forces. Unlike past iterations, this year’s exercises will be completely unscripted, forcing troops to react to unexpected battlefield scenarios in real-time.
This adjustment aligns with Taiwan’s new military doctrine, which focuses on asymmetrical warfare and decentralized command structures. By forcing units to operate independently and under pressure, the military aims to simulate the chaotic conditions of an actual war, where communications and logistics may be disrupted.
Newly acquired defensive assets will be tested, including:
- M1A2T Abrams tanks
- M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
- Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
These modern weapons are part of Taiwan’s ongoing military modernization efforts, aimed at countering China’s growing military superiority.
Integration with Civil Defense Efforts
This year’s Han Kuang 2025 exercises will also integrate civilian preparedness measures. The military will coordinate with central and local governments through Urban Resilience Exercises (April-July), which combine air raid drills (Wan An) and disaster response drills (Min An) in 11 cities and counties across Taiwan.
These exercises, part of Taiwan’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Initiative, are designed to strengthen the country’s ability to sustain itself during an extended conflict. The initiative focuses on:
- Training civilian defense forces
- Securing strategic and critical supplies
- Reinforcing energy and key infrastructure
- Ensuring the continued operation of medical, transportation, and financial facilities
The Presidential Office’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee has emphasized the need for Taiwan to build national resilience beyond military readiness, as modern warfare increasingly targets civilian infrastructure.
Why This Matters: Rising Tensions in the Taiwan Strait
The expansion of Taiwan’s Han Kuang 2025exercises comes amid escalating tensions with China. Beijing has intensified its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, conducting frequent air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Additionally, China has been:
- Increasing the size and scale of its military drills near Taiwan
- Testing its ability to blockade the island
- Engaging in “gray-zone warfare” tactics, such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns
Taiwan’s expanded war games signal a shift toward a more proactive and realistic defense strategy, acknowledging the heightened risk of military confrontation in the coming years.
FAQs
What are the Han Kuang 2025 exercises?
The Han Kuang exercises are Taiwan’s largest annual military drills, designed to test the island’s defense capabilities against a potential invasion by China. They include computerized war simulations and live-fire drills involving all branches of the armed forces.
How long will the 2025 Han Kuang exercises last?
This year’s exercises will span 14 days of tabletop wargames (April 5-18) and 10 days of live-fire drills (July 9-18)—the longest duration in the history of the drills.
What new military equipment will be used in the exercises?
Taiwan will test its newly acquired M1A2T Abrams tanks, HIMARS rocket systems, Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems, and UAVs, which enhance the country’s defensive capabilities.
How are these exercises different from previous years?
Longest-ever duration for tabletop wargames (14 days vs. 5-8 in past years)
Twice as long live-fire drills (10 days vs. 5 in previous years)
Unscripted exercises, forcing troops to react to real-time threats
Integration of civil defense and urban resilience training
Why is Taiwan expanding these drills?
The expansion reflects Taiwan’s growing concern over Chinese military threats, including the possibility of a sudden invasion disguised as a routine PLA drill. The longer exercises aim to enhance Taiwan’s combat readiness and coordination between military and civilian sectors.
