Taiwan Simulates Repelling Chinese Invasion in Major Coastal Live-Fire Exercise

Taiwan’s military conducted a large-scale live-fire coastal defense exercise on Tuesday, simulating the destruction of an invading Chinese force during an amphibious assault. The drill, held along Taiwan’s west coast facing mainland China, highlighted the island’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities amid rising cross-strait tensions.

The exercise took place across eight locations spanning approximately 20 kilometers around Taichung in central Taiwan. Military units deployed a combination of advanced weapon systems, including Taiwan’s domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 multiple-launch rocket systems, U.S.-made Paladin self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank missiles, artillery, and mortars. The objective was to establish a defensive “kill zone” designed to stop enemy forces attempting a beach landing.

Taiwan’s armed forces emphasized that the drill reflected a more realistic combat scenario compared to previous exercises. Rather than relying on fixed positions and lengthy preparation periods, troops were required to mobilize and prepare under tighter timelines that more closely resemble actual battlefield conditions.

Artillery commander Ong Yih-ming said the military has moved away from routine training formats and is focusing on realistic operational requirements. According to Ong, the timing of troop deployment and firing preparations was based on simulated wartime conditions, creating additional challenges for personnel involved in the exercise.

Rocket commander Liao Neng-cheng noted that previous live-fire drills typically allowed troops up to a week to prepare firing positions. In contrast, participants in this exercise arrived only one day before operations began, significantly reducing preparation time and increasing the complexity of the mission.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said the exercise marked the first live-fire deployment of the Thunderbolt-2000 system in an operational area in seven years. The mobile rocket platform is designed to provide long-range firepower and rapid battlefield maneuverability.

The drills come as China continues to increase military activity around Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-governed island as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. Taiwan rejects those sovereignty claims, maintaining that only its people have the right to determine the island’s future.

As Taiwan modernizes its military with more mobile weapons and realistic combat training, the latest exercise underscores the island’s determination to improve readiness against potential invasion scenarios and strengthen coastal defense capabilities.