Taiwan launches five-day combat readiness drills amid regional tensions

As Chinese military aircraft continue to swarm the skies near the island, Taiwan’s defense ministry has mobilized its armed forces for a five-day combat readiness exercise. The drills mark a shift toward high-stakes, realistic simulations designed to harden the military’s response to a sudden, full-scale attack.

Editorial·June 21, 2026·reads: 954

Taiwan launches five-day combat readiness drills amid regional tensions

The "Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise" runs from Monday through Friday, focusing on rapid transitions from peacetime posture to full-scale mobilization. Rather than relying on traditional setpiece maneuvers, commanders are forcing units to operate with actual equipment and live personnel across diverse terrain. The defense ministry emphasized that these drills prioritize joint operations, logistical sustainability, and the ability to maintain command and control under intense battlefield pressure.

This training cycle coincides with a fresh display of force from Beijing. On Sunday, the ministry reported that 21 Chinese aircraft—including J-16 fighters and Y-20 tankers—entered the airspace southwest of the island to conduct long-range maneuvers. Taiwan deployed its own forces to monitor the activity, maintaining a standard defensive posture. These exercises follow recent live-fire drills featuring U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems, underscoring Taipei’s push to modernize its deterrent capabilities ahead of the larger Han Kuang war games scheduled for August.