Taiwan Expands Annual Reserve Drills Amid Rising Regional Tensions
In response to the growing complexity of regional security threats, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has announced a significant increase in the number of reservists participating in its 2025 Tung Hsin military exercise. More than 20,000 reservists are set to be mobilized this year — an increase of over 5,000 compared to 2024. This decision marks a strategic leap in Taiwan’s efforts to modernize and prepare its reserve force for a potential real-world conflict scenario.
A Breakdown of Taiwan’s Reserve Mobilization Strategy
The Tung Hsin (動員訓練) exercise, Taiwan’s largest annual manpower mobilization drill, runs parallel to the well-known Han Kuang exercises, the latter being Taiwan’s premier full-scale war games. While Han Kuang focuses on the active-duty military’s capabilities, Tung Hsin emphasizes the rapid readiness and integration of reservists — an increasingly vital component in the island’s asymmetric defense strategy.
According to Chou Chin-lung (周錦龍), deputy head of the MND’s Inspector General’s Office, the increase in reservists reflects the ministry’s goal of transforming Taiwan’s reserve force into a combat-ready, auxiliary wing of the Armed Forces. Last year, the exercise included 14,647 personnel — already an increase of over 2,000 from 2023. This year’s number will breach the 20,000 mark.
Tactical Readiness: More Than Just a Numbers Game
The increase in numbers is just one part of a multi-pronged upgrade. Reservists will undergo intensive firearms training — including pistol and rifle practice in standing, kneeling, and prone positions. These simulations are meant to mirror real-world combat scenarios more closely than before.
Hsia Chen-kuo (夏振國) of the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency explained that the larger scale is also due to the growth of regional reserve brigades, which have become more numerous and structured in the past year. Taiwan has been working to create community-based reserve forces, blending local knowledge with military preparedness.
These troops aren’t just being trained for combat. They’ll also be taught how to coordinate with police, emergency responders, and civil defense teams, thereby strengthening Taiwan’s ability to respond to hybrid warfare threats, such as cyber attacks, urban sabotage, and infrastructure disruption.
National Defense Strategy in 2025: A Bigger Picture
The expanded Tung Hsin exercise is not occurring in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger shift in Taiwan’s defense doctrine. According to the MND, its overarching objectives for 2025 include:
- Strengthening joint training between the Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Conducting realistic field exercises to simulate battlefield stress
- Deepening military-civilian cooperation
- Enhancing domestic defense production capabilities
- Fostering international military partnerships
- Improving recruitment and retention of skilled military talent
These changes come amid heightened military pressure from China, whose military aircraft and naval vessels have frequently breached Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). With China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intensifying its gray zone warfare tactics, Taiwan is investing not just in elite weaponry like indigenous submarines and drone systems, but also in building a broader, more agile defense ecosystem.
Strategic Analysis: Why Reservists Matter
Taiwan’s move to increase reservist participation goes beyond symbolism. It reflects a core principle in asymmetric warfare: stretching the opponent’s capacity across multiple fronts and ensuring the population is not just a passive target but an active defense component.
Mobilizing 20,000+ reservists serves multiple strategic purposes:
- Deterrence: A robust reserve force signals preparedness to potential aggressors.
- Resilience: Reservists can supplement regular forces if Taiwan is hit with a “decapitation strike.”
- Flexibility: Local reservists can respond to emergencies faster in decentralized scenarios.
- Unity: Integrating civil society into national defense reinforces morale and cohesion.
FAQs
What is the Tung Hsin exercise?
Tung Hsin is Taiwan’s largest annual reservist mobilization drill, designed to test the combat readiness and rapid assembly of reserve forces alongside civilian support systems.
How many reservists will participate in 2025?
More than 20,000 reservists will take part in the 2025 Tung Hsin exercise — an increase of over 5,000 from the previous year.
How does Tung Hsin differ from Han Kuang exercises?
While Han Kuang focuses on Taiwan’s regular military forces, Tung Hsin emphasizes reservist mobilization and integration with police and emergency services.
Why is Taiwan increasing the number of reservists?
The increase reflects Taiwan’s strategic goal to transform its reserve force into a combat-ready unit capable of supporting national defense during conflict.
What kind of training do reservists receive?
Training includes live-fire exercises, urban warfare simulations, emergency response coordination, and defensive tactics in real-world scenarios.
