Image: Units from the Taiwanese Air Force positioned Patriot missile launchers in a riverside park near Songshan Airport as part of a simulation to defend critical infrastructure against an aerial attack by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) (Picture source: Taiwanese MoN Defense)
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
Taipei, Taiwan — Amid rising tensions with China, Taiwan’s military showcased its advanced defensive capabilities during the recent Han Kuang military exercises. The drills, designed to simulate responses to a potential aerial assault by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), demonstrated Taiwan’s growing military prowess and its reliance on modern defense systems and urban infrastructure for survival.
One of the key highlights was the deployment of the Taiwanese Air Force’s Patriot missile systems. Positioned strategically in a riverside park near Songshan Airport, these launchers were part of a simulation to defend critical infrastructure. Taiwan’s defense forces operate two variants of the Patriot missile system: Patriot II missiles, which specialize in intercepting aircraft and cruise missiles, and Patriot III missiles, designed to neutralize ballistic missiles, such as China’s Dong Feng 15. This layered approach is designed to enhance Taiwan’s missile defense shield, ensuring the island is protected against various types of airborne threats.
Simultaneously, Taiwanese soldiers were seen stationed throughout the capital, Taipei, armed with American-made portable Stinger surface-to-air missiles. These systems, both shoulder-fired and vehicle-mounted, are designed to counter low-altitude threats, such as enemy helicopters and drones. The exercise, simulating a Chinese amphibious landing, highlighted the importance of strengthening Taiwan’s capabilities to defend against aerial threats in a conflict scenario.
Further south, in Taichung, the Taiwanese military deployed two armored trucks equipped with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Known for its precision and effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict, HIMARS can strike ground targets over long distances with high accuracy. Military spokesperson Colonel Chen Lian-jia stressed the importance of maintaining operational secrecy, including concealing these systems from enemy reconnaissance, to preserve the element of surprise and ensure their effectiveness during combat.
The military drills come amid continued arms deliveries from the United States to Taiwan, reflecting growing international support for the island’s defense. However, despite a significant arms buildup, with an estimated $20 billion in orders still pending, the United States maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” and has refrained from making definitive promises of military intervention in the event of a Chinese attack.
A notable addition to this year’s drills was the use of the Taipei metro system as a military mobility tool. This marks the first time that Taiwan’s military has incorporated the metro for troop movements. Units from the Military Police and the Army’s Third Logistics Command navigated the underground system, armed with Stinger missiles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank rockets. By moving through the metro, the Taiwanese military was able to shield troop movements from aerial surveillance, while also positioning units for potential surprise operations within the city.
The metro, which spans 150 kilometers and 135 stations, offers an effective network to move forces swiftly while avoiding detection by enemy satellites. Military units used service wagons, typically reserved for maintenance, to transport heavy equipment through the city’s underground tunnels. These operations are a part of Taiwan’s broader urban defense strategy, which aims to leverage civilian infrastructure to bolster military resilience in the event of a conflict.
While this innovative approach underscores Taiwan’s adaptability, it raises concerns about civilian safety. The militarization of public infrastructure could make such sites targets for the PLA, leading to potential collateral damage. Taiwan’s military planners are aware of the risks but remain focused on the strategic benefits of utilizing the city’s extensive underground network for military operations.
The Han Kuang exercises and the deployment of cutting-edge defense systems like the Patriot, HIMARS, and Stinger missiles highlight Taiwan’s evolving defense strategy. With Beijing reportedly aiming for a potential invasion capacity by 2027, Taiwan is preparing for a conflict where its survival will depend as much on technological superiority as on its ability to navigate urban combat and exploit its defensive environment.
As Taiwan continues to modernize its military and prepare for an increasingly uncertain future, the nation’s defense strategies blend advanced weaponry with innovative tactics, showcasing a formidable resolve to protect its sovereignty in the face of mounting external threats.