Han Kuang Exercise

The Han Kuang Exercise (Chinese: 漢光演習; pinyin: Hànguāng Yǎnxí) is the annual military exercise of the Republic of China Armed Forces in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu for combat readiness in the event of an attack from the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China.

[5][6] The 2000 exercise was held on August, focusing on anti-missile, anti-landing, anti-airborne landing and anti-air raid.

Civilian airplanes were used for the first time for personnel transport, carrying military officers and reservists from Kaohsiung to Penghu.

The first stage was held on 4–8 May 2015, designed to test the military's combat capabilities after undergoing streamlining processes at the end of 2014.

It focused on preserving combat capability using the collected information and surveillance data and countering the blockades and landings in Taiwan.

[24] The 2020 exercise saw the participation of the National Police Agency’s Thunder Squad and the Coast Guard Administration’s Special Task Unit for the first time.

[26] The 2024 exercise was a significant departure from previous years being entirely unscripted and lacking major live firepower demonstrations.

Special forces which in previous years had participated as a "red team" simulating PLA attackers focused instead on their actual wartime role of defense.

The exercise focused on enabling units to act independently of higher command and practicing new rules of engagement.

[30][31] Reforms have been undertaken in response to these criticisms with the realism, scale, and rigor of the exercise increasing each year.