Taiwan's Han Kuang war games (Aug 5–14) will rehearse relocating weapons production and converting civilian factories to keep military supply chains running if Chinese strikes or disruptions hit supply hubs. Exercises will simulate China hiding invasion preparations within routine drills and include a simulated relocation of the Armaments Bureau's 202nd Arsenal and mobilisation of whole-system assembly factories. The navy and coast guard will practise protecting sea lanes, and authorities will deliberately slow mobile internet to test communications under constrained bandwidth.
Taiwan’s Han Kuang Drills Will Rehearse Moving Arms Production and Repurposing Civilian Factories Amid Rising Pressure
A Taiwanese army soldier waves a flag during an annual military exercise ahead of Lunar New Year in Taichung, Taiwan, January 27, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Taiwan's defence ministry announced that the upcoming Han Kuang war games, scheduled for August 5–14, will include exercises to relocate weapons production lines and convert civilian factories for military use. The aim is to ensure Taiwan can sustain combat operations if Chinese strikes or other disturbances hit key supply hubs.
What the Drills Will Test
According to the ministry's planning outline, the scenarios will assess whether Taiwan can disperse industrial production while maintaining the output required to support its armed forces during a conflict. Organisers say the drills will also simulate Chinese forces using routine joint military exercises to mask preparations for a larger invasion, forcing Taiwan to immediately raise combat readiness and conduct rapid-response operations.
Major General Lu Wen-yuan, head of the Joint Operations Division, said at a press briefing that the scenarios assume an adversary might try to conceal invasion preparations within annual drills, prompting an urgent and comprehensive national response.
The exercise will simulate the wartime relocation of the Armaments Bureau's 202nd Arsenal in Taipei and will mobilise civilian factories responsible for whole-system assembly after emergency orders are issued. The navy and coast guard will run joint drills using live troops, equipment and ammunition to practise vessel refits, coastal strikes, maritime law enforcement and escorts for critical shipments.
For the first time, organisers will deliberately slow mobile internet speeds during the 10-day exercise to test how citizens, emergency services and authorities would communicate if bandwidth became scarce during disasters or in wartime conditions.
Officials say the drills come as Taiwan has observed a sharp rise in Chinese coast guard activity around the island, raising concern in Taipei that Beijing could intensify pressure off Taiwan's Pacific coast and threaten vital supply routes. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says it already functions as an independent country.
Reporting: Yimou Lee and Yi-chin Lee. Editing: Saad Sayeed.
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