The Republic of China (ROC) Army conducted the “Han Guang 42” live-fire drill from August 5th to 14th. Experts pointed out that the ROC Army has finally completed a 10-day, 9-night long-range resilience training, witnessing a transformation in the Han Guang exercises in Taiwan. This military exercise was different from previous ones as it fully incorporated the combat mode of the U.S. military.
Peng Jieshen, a former instructor of the ROC Marine Corps and former lecturer at the Thunder God Consulting Company, stated that this year’s Han Guang exercise concluded on the 14th without the roaring of aircraft squadrons, the deafening sound of artillery, or the dazzling fireworks displays of past firepower demonstrations.
In this year’s exercise, the ROC Army simulated scenarios that had never been seen before, such as the first-time implementation of “full brigade mobilization” in both northern and southern regions, mobilizing over 5,000 reservists combined with the “Tongxin 36” exercise. The troops were organized into the northern Taipei reserve brigade and the southern Infantry 137 Brigade, conducting a 14-day full-scale mobilization training, as well as joint town defense and combat coordination in Taichung’s Dajia district.
Peng Jieshen explained that in this year’s Han Guang exercise, the ROC Army assumed a scenario in which the Chinese army used military force to invade Taiwan and block the surrounding waters. The ROC Army conducted tactical actions in four stages based on the evolving situation, including strategic deployment, force protection, joint anti-landing coastal strikes, and deep defense for sustained operations, aiming to delay and defeat the enemy.
Furthermore, Peng Jieshen mentioned that according to Taiwan’s Military Channel of Liberty Times, four modern U.S. military operational concepts and new modes were introduced in this Han Guang exercise:
Firstly, ROSP (Rapid Decision-making and Synchronization Process), which allows frontline commanders to make rapid decisions and deploy response forces independently in case of communication disruption, without waiting for orders from superiors.
He cited a classic example of subordinate commanders making rapid decisions and acting synchronously: during the 1991 Gulf War in the Battle of 73 Easting, Captain H.R. McMaster of the U.S. Army’s E Troop led a rapid assault against Iraqi forces, demonstrating swift decision-making and synchronized action.
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