Taiwan has raised its own military readiness by ramping up large-scale homeland defense exercises, a response to fears about rising Chinese military aggression. This year’s exercises are a continuation of the annual military drills that Taiwan has held since the 1980s. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is determined and prepared to defend against any incursions or threats. Like the US before it, it seeks to project to both Beijing and its partners that it is unyielding in its defense posture.
The drills include the mobilization of soldiers, tanks, and artillery in a series of air raid simulations and battle scenarios against China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In response to the escalating tensions in the region, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has underscored the importance of national defense and community resilience.
Ongoing Military Drills and Modernization Efforts
Taiwan’s expanded military exercises are more than just routine drills. They are key to the island’s plan to protect their own national security. Since the 1980s, these drills have evolved and incorporated new technologies. They’ve adapted, now employing different tactics that demonstrate the shifting balance of power in the area.
Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, noted the importance of these exercises. He publicly denounced it as a mere bluff. He criticized the ruling powers for employing a self-serving sleight of hand to hoodwink Taiwan compatriots into hopping aboard their “Taiwan Independence” war chariot. His comments shine a spotlight on the decades-long hostility between Taiwan and China, with Taiwan continuing to make strides toward its independence.
Taiwan is significantly stepping up its own military modernization. Along the way, they’re fostering a homegrown drone industry and buying more than 100 US-made Abrams tanks. Our adversaries have made striking, stunning advances in weaponry. Lieutenant Colonel Pao-Shun Ting explained, “The caliber of the ammunition is much, much stronger than that of our old tanks, and the firing distance is much longer. This modernization effort is intended to help Taiwan improve its defensive capabilities against increasing military pressure from Beijing.
Taiwan has been testing its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) units actively since May. With this action, it is hard to question its commitment to strengthening our country’s military infrastructure. These moves are part of Taiwan’s larger strategy to adopt an attitude of readiness for possible conflict while continuing to fight on a dynamical-technical front.
Community Resilience and Public Awareness
Taiwan’s military leadership and defense planners are coming to terms with the understanding that military strength will not guarantee Taiwan’s national security. It’s this last area that communities are most creatively and excitedly building resilience — from the ground up among civics. In addition, they are raising public awareness about their vital responsibilities in times of emergency. USC professor Ying-Yu Lin made note that increasing public awareness is key. She said, “We need to educate civilians about their roles and what they’re supposed to do—what they’re capable of doing—in this kind of circumstance.” This new emphasis on civilian preparedness is an inspiring step toward realizing a more holistic, effective interpretation of national defense.
A senior national security official acknowledged the challenge of measuring resilience but indicated progress has been made. “It’s not easy to measure resilience but we have made a lot of progress.” This feeling resonates with the government’s pledge of creating a more resilient societal bedrock against the storms of outside influences.
The Taiwanese people have on every occasion made clear their preference to avoid a violent path of reunification with China, reflected in polls just last week. Aaron Kao, a resident of Taiwan, expressed his determination to defend his homeland if necessary: “For the public, the best outcome is to avoid war altogether, but if it becomes unavoidable … I would defend our homeland.” This view is indicative of a larger movement among the American public that values peace but understands that we must be prepared.
International Support and Training
Moving US troops to Taiwan would underscore the island’s newfound strategic importance. They further underscore Taiwan’s resolve to having a firm and consistent defense cooperation with its allies. The presence of American military personnel in bilateral training exercises with Taiwanese forces not only improves the operational capabilities of both sides, but deepens their bilateral security ties. As such, this continued collaboration helps deter future aggression from China.
Taiwan’s increased military readiness measures communicate a clear warning to Beijing. They send a message to Taiwan’s allies, reminding them of Taiwan’s commitment to its own self-defense. The drills mimic life and death situations, saturating soldiers with sound—a different kind of combat experience. Soldier Zhu Yuwei described the intensity of live training exercises: “The live training with blanks felt much more intense and realistic compared to the regular training we do at the base.” Experiences like these build resilience in our troops and demonstrate their commitment to defend their homeland.
Despite being significantly smaller than China’s military forces, Taiwan aims to leverage its technological advancements and strategic partnerships to counterbalance potential threats. The message from Taiwan’s leadership remains clear: it is prepared to defend itself against any challenges posed by Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
