US experts joined review of Taiwan’s latest war games simulating PLA attack
- Island’s defence ministry says the experts observed the computerised drills and also took part in the review and assessment
- Disclosing the exchange could be part of US deterrence efforts amid growing military threats, according to analyst
Making the military exchange public could be part of US deterrence efforts as the PLA ramps up pressure on the island, according to one analyst.
The ministry on Tuesday said the American experts had not only observed the computerised part of the annual Han Kuang exercises from May 15 to 19, but also joined their Taiwanese counterparts to review the online drills.
“The Taiwan and US sides jointly formed an AAR [after action review] panel for an overall review and assessment of the [computerised war games],” Major General Lin Wen-huang told reporters in Taipei.
The United States military experts offered their experience and suggestions to the Taiwanese on the combat operational plans, decisions taken and procedures carried out during the online drills, Lin said, without giving further details of the US involvement.
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He said both the US and Taiwanese panel members had found that personnel who took part in the drills were able to complete their assignments and operations, and that they were capable of helping to defend the island.
Lin added that the military would continue to strengthen its training in future exercises in response to possible PLA attacks based on various scenarios and the suggestions made by the US experts.
Both Washington and Taipei have become more willing to disclose their military exchanges as the relationship has become closer, and as the PLA has intensified its activities near the island.
Beijing sees Taiwan as a wayward province that must be brought back under its control, by force if necessary. The PLA’s muscle-flexing has increased as Taiwan’s independence-leaning government led by President Tsai Ing-wen has deepened its relationship with the West – and the US in particular. The United States, like most countries, does not see Taiwan as a sovereign state but is opposed to any forcible change to the cross-strait status quo.
Su Tzu-yun, a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, a government think tank in Taipei, said the US had taken steps in recent years to help Taiwan tackle the growing threat from Beijing. He said that ranged from Washington’s commitment to upholding the security of the island to preventing it from being attacked.
“Offering Taiwan free defence articles … and sending experts to observe and analyse [the computerised part of] the Han Kuang exercises is part of US efforts to fulfil the ambitions of the US 2023 National Defence Authorisation Act, which seeks to deepen military exchanges with Taiwan,” he said.
Disclosing such exchanges could be a deterrence strategy in the face of growing military threats and the expansion of the PLA, Su said.
“This explains why the US is more willing to expose some of its military exchanges with Taiwan, which used to be kept under the table in the past,” he added.
