Taiwan’s military will begin a five-day combat readiness exercise this week as part of efforts to modernise its armed forces and improve preparedness for potential conflict scenarios.
The Defence Ministry announced that the “Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise” will run from Monday to Friday and forms part of the island’s annual joint operations training programme.
According to the ministry, the exercise is designed to move away from traditional scripted military drills and instead focus on realistic battlefield conditions that simulate actual wartime situations.
Taiwan has increasingly adapted its training strategy around scenarios in which China could rapidly transform one of its routine military exercises around the island into a real military operation.
Officials said the latest drill aims to familiarise troops at all levels with combat procedures, deployment requirements and battlefield environments during the initial stages of a potential conflict.
The exercise will involve active personnel operating on real terrain, using actual military equipment and carrying out missions in real-time conditions.
The ministry added that the training is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to rapidly transition from peacetime operations to wartime readiness while improving command coordination, logistical support and overall combat effectiveness.
The announcement came as Taiwan reported another large-scale military presence by China near the island.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said 21 Chinese military aircraft were detected operating in the region on Sunday, including J-16 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and Y-20 aerial refuelling planes.
Of those aircraft, 19 reportedly entered airspace southwest of Taiwan before proceeding into the Western Pacific for what China described as long-range training exercises over open waters.
Taiwan responded by deploying its own military assets to monitor the situation and take what authorities described as appropriate defensive measures.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite strong objections from the government in Taipei and has regularly conducted military operations around the island in recent years.
Taiwan has repeatedly accused Beijing of using these activities to increase military pressure and force acceptance of Chinese sovereignty claims.
The island continues to expand and modernise its defence capabilities in response to growing regional tensions.
Earlier this month, Taiwan tested its newly acquired US-made HIMARS rocket system, a weapon platform that has gained prominence during the conflict in Ukraine.
Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises, the largest war games conducted by its armed forces, are expected to take place in August.
