Taiwan will use next month’s Han Kuang military exercises to test the resilience of its defense industry during a potential conflict with China, Reuters reported.
The drills will simulate relocating production from the military’s 202nd Arsenal in Taipei and mobilizing civilian factories to sustain defense manufacturing under emergency conditions.
Based on a scenario in which China uses routine military exercises to conceal preparations for an attack, the exercise will evaluate whether industrial output can continue even if key defense facilities are struck.
As part of the drills, Taipei will also test its ability to keep critical sea lanes open through joint navy and coast guard exercises, including live-fire operations to escort essential shipments and protect maritime supply routes during a conflict.
Rising Chinese Activity
The exercises come amid China’s continued increase in military and coast guard activity around Taiwan.
Beijing considers the self-governing island part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it is prepared to use force to achieve unification, a position rejected by Taipei.
Chinese fighter aircraft and naval vessels operate around Taiwan on an almost daily basis, while coast guard ships regularly patrol waters near the island and its outlying territories.
Earlier this month, Taipei’s coast guard reported a sharp increase in Chinese government vessels operating around the island.
Officials recorded 263 Chinese ships in June, including coast guard, research, and other government vessels, compared with 200 in May and 171 during the same period last year.
