Computer-simulated invasion will kick off Taiwan war games
- Exercises will run 24 hours a day in first phase of Taipei’s largest annual military drills which start on April 23
- All possible scenarios of an invasion on the island will be simulated, according to defence ministry
The announcement by the Taiwanese defence ministry on Wednesday came days after Beijing said an aircraft carrier was conducting drills near the island and that such exercises would become routine. Taiwan has been under increasing military pressure from Beijing in recent months, with China’s air force making almost daily forays into the self-ruled island’s air defence identification zone.
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Major General Liu Yu-Ping said the drills, from April 23 to 30, would run 24 hours a day and use the Joint Theatre Level Simulation system. “The drills are designed based on the toughest enemy threats, simulating all possible scenarios on an enemy invasion on Taiwan,” he said.
The Han Kuang exercises are Taiwan’s largest annual war games. A second phase, which will include live fire and anti-landing drills, is set to take place in July and will involve some 8,000 reservists. Hospitals will also hold drills on dealing with an influx of heavy casualties in the second phase.
When asked if Washington’s de facto embassy, the American Institute in Taiwan, would send representatives to oversee the drills, Liu said such a plan was “discussed” but “will not be implemented”, citing military sensitivity.
The PLA navy said on Monday a carrier group was conducting exercises near Taiwan and such drills would become regular, marking a further escalation of tensions. One day later, the US Navy said its Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group entered the South China Sea on April 4 to conduct routine operations, its second such visit this year.