On July 12, during the 4th day of the live-fire exercise “Hanguang 41” by the Republic of China (Taiwan) Armed Forces, a simulated enemy targeting exercise against the Taiwanese military took place. To prevent the People’s Liberation Army from intruding into the Tamsui River and violating the central area, the Army’s 53rd Engineer Group conducted a drill in the morning to set up barriers in the Tamsui River and detonate them using C4 explosives, creating a loud explosion that echoed along the riverbank and scattered water splashes.
The annual major military exercise “Hanguang 41” of the Taiwanese Armed Forces started on the 9th, involving all three branches for a 10-day continuous 24-hour operation. From the 9th to the 11th, scenarios were simulated where the Chinese Communist Party conducted medium to high-intensity gray zone provocations against Taiwan. The Taiwanese military responded with immediate readiness exercises, enhanced alertness, strategic communication, and information defense against such provocations. On the 12th, a simulated enemy targeting exercise was conducted.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China reported that from 6:00 am on the 11th to 6:00 am on the 12th, a total of 14 incidents of Chinese aircraft (9 of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into the northern and eastern airspace) and 9 Chinese warships and 1 government vessel were detected, with a total of 24 Chinese aircraft and ships continuously active in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military closely monitored and responded to these activities using aircraft, naval units, and shore-based missile systems.
According to the information provided by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China on the activities of Chinese forces in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait, from 7:50 am to 8:20 pm on the 11th, a total of 13 incidents of Chinese main fighter jets were detected in the airspace of the Taiwan Strait, with 8 of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military also identified a Chinese helicopter in the eastern airspace of Taiwan from 3:10 pm to 6:20 pm.
In recent years, the defense of the Tamsui River has become a focal point of the Taiwanese military’s defense strategy in the greater Taipei area. To prevent Chinese forces from using hovercraft and boats to infiltrate the Tamsui River and land in areas like Wanhua and Dazhi, the Taiwanese military has conducted multiple exercises in setting up barriers in the Tamsui River. This year, they took it a step further by installing C4 explosives in the barriers and conducting a public detonation exercise for the first time.
On the 11th, the 53rd Engineer Group received orders to carry out the “Tamsui River Barrier Installation” operation in New Taipei City, setting up 3 barriers in the Tamsui River using M3 pontoon vehicles and assault boats. After the completion of the barrier installations, explosions were carried out at 9:34 am in a sequence of 1, 2, and 1, with the first explosion set in the third barrier and the following three explosions detonated in the water, creating a resounding blast that shook the riverbank and sent water splashing around, leaving a strong impact.
Deputy researcher Jie Zhong from the Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, who was present to observe the detonation exercise, explained that the barriers set up by the Taiwanese military in the Tamsui River could prevent Chinese speedboats and underwater drones. The defense of the Tamsui River is crucial for defending the capital’s central area, especially in preventing Chinese forces from landing in places like Bali, Taoyuan, and Tamsui Sandbank, which could potentially control the entire greater Taipei area. Therefore, the ability to block Chinese forces at the mouth of the Tamsui River during a conflict is a key aspect of central defense, and the detonation exercises help evaluate the density and amount of explosives to be used in wartime.
Reported by Military News Agency, the Kinmen Defense Command’s artillery battalion conducted on-site combat training, following tactical orders and conditions, moving to tactical positions, establishing and preparing artillery positions, enhancing the unit’s response capabilities and fire deployment pace to solidify the defense mission foundation in the area.
In the emergency operational phase of the live-fire exercise by the Nan An Defense Company of the Matsu Defense Command, they executed vital target protection tasks, simulating enemy infiltration and sabotage at the Hai Dan factory. Soldiers followed commands, completed combat readiness preparations, dispatched CM21 armored personnel carriers from their standby positions for tactical maneuvers. By using blank ammunition to simulate realistic battlefield conditions, they tested the troops’ abilities to respond to emergencies effectively.
Upon reaching their destination, soldiers quickly disembarked for combat. Team and squad leaders guided soldiers forward while providing mutual cover, occupying advantageous positions. By rapidly adapting tactical positions between squads and utilizing hand signals for communication, they established firing angle advantages, gradually clearing threats in the surrounding area, demonstrating tactical flexibility and application.
To verify the transition between peacetime and wartime capabilities and ensure the continuous combat readiness of forces, the Navy’s mobile radar vehicle unit carried out replenishment operations today. The forward support team traveled to the tactical position of the mobile radar vehicle unit to supply materials and fuel, with the entire process being guarded by the Navy Marine Corps air defense guard group. In the shortest time possible, the forward support team completed the replenishment, enhancing the unit’s ability to respond to subsequent challenges.
The 5th Theater Command’s Hai Ma multiple rocket launcher system entered its combat readiness position and practiced receiving superior orders, swiftly changing positions, conducting combat shooting, and ammunition loading and unloading exercises to demonstrate the effectiveness of their routine training.
The recently formed Hai Ma multiple rocket missile platoon, under the threat simulation scenario, practiced rapid movements, concealing and camouflage, position changes, and engaged in intense exercises such as combat shooting and ammunition handling. Through practical and field training, they effectively prepared soldiers to handle sudden battlefield situations, enhancing the overall combat efficiency of the unit and serving as a solid defense for national security.
To augment reserve military capabilities, the armored units of the 5th Theater Command conducted a mobilization exercise as part of the Hanguang 41 exercise, providing intensive specialized training for reserve personnel. This training combined with the “Unified Exercises” method reinforced the training for reserve troops in combat readiness. During the process, instructors conducted lectures and various scenario exercises to enhance combat skills and the ability to respond to battlefield situations effectively.
In the New Taipei area, the 3rd Theater Command conducted a “Road Barrier Installation” exercise, where soldiers swiftly completed the barrier setup according to procedures, steps, and guidelines, showcasing the results of their diligent and specialized training.
In the morning, the engineer units of the 3rd Theater Command in the New Taipei area practiced the “Road Barrier Installation” exercise, simulating enemy troops landing from the pier. Soldiers used snake belly wire and steel spike traps to set up barriers at important road junctures, complemented by unit firepower, effectively blocking enemy personnel and vehicles from entering Taiwan’s central areas through major roads, ensuring national security.
Although Typhoon “Danasi” has moved away from Taiwan and the weather is gradually clearing up, the aftermath of the disaster has caused inconvenience to residents. To meet the recovery needs in Tainan, the 4th Theater Command continued to evaluate available manpower and equipment resources to support post-disaster recovery efforts in the southern regions during the “Hanguang 41” live-fire exercises. The 4th Theater Command emphasized that the military personnel always hold the spirit of “military and civilians as one family,” assisting local governments and residents in resuming their normal lives.