Taiwan braces for potential 2027 invasion with defense drills
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense revealed on Wednesday plans to conduct a simulation of a "Chinese attack in 2027" this July as part of the annual Han Kuang 41 exercises. Local media also reported ongoing five-day "combat readiness" exercises in response to military pressure from the People's Republic of China.
All units of Taiwan's armed forces across the entire island are involved in these comprehensive exercises, which began on Monday, according to local media. The exercises are a response to increased activity by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the region, aimed at undermining Taiwan's unity and will to resist through continuous intimidation and military pressure, as well as addressing recent incidents, including damage to undersea cables.
Separately, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense disclosed on Wednesday that the scenario for the July live-fire exercises, part of the annual Han Kuang 41 maneuvers, will focus on external attacks related to a potential "Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2027" and operations by the People's Republic in what is known as the gray zone.
"Gray zone" tactics are strategies not considered open conflict, relying on military pressure, cyberattacks, and economic coercion, aimed at weakening defenses without triggering a full-scale war.
In a report submitted to parliament, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense stated that the objective of the exercises, taking place from July 9-18, is to "verify the ability of troops at all levels to execute plans, thereby building a military force that can respond quickly and maintain ‘high combat readiness.'"
Han Kuang is divided into three phases: a high-level war game in February, a computer simulation in April, and a summer segment with live ammunition.
Signals received
This year's maneuvers focus on verifying military capabilities, including executing plans, conducting joint anti-blockade operations, dispersing and storing supplies, and evaluating the combat effectiveness of new weapons.
The PLA has intensified its maneuvers in recent years, including simulations of a blockade of Taiwan.
Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned that the time it takes China to transition from exercises to combat is "not necessarily as long as we used to think."
"We have some key early warning signs that we need to monitor," Koo said.
