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How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games
Taipei to move weapons production, prepare for internet outages and adopt US ‘back briefs’ during Han Kuang drills
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Lawrence Chungin TaipeiPublished: 10:00pm, 4 Aug 2026Updated: 12:21am, 5 Aug 2026Taiwan will begin its annual war games on Wednesday, testing for the first time its ability to counter a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maritime blockade in the western Pacific during the 10-day exercise.The 42nd edition of the Han Kuang exercise, the island’s largest annual military drill, will incorporate US military planning practices to improve coordination and mission command.
It will also test the wartime relocation of weapons production lines to safer locations as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its ability to sustain military operations under attack, according to the island’s defence ministry.
The exercise comes as Beijing steps up military pressure through grey-zone operations, large-scale drills and expanded coastguard patrols around Taiwan, fuelling concerns that any future conflict could begin with a blockade rather than an immediate amphibious assault.
This year’s scenario assumes the PLA has completed preparations for an attack and begun crossing the Taiwan Strait, according to defence ministry officials.
They added that Taiwan’s armed forces would respond by raising combat readiness and conducting counter-landing operations, convoy escorts for critical supplies and joint counter-blockade missions.
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