Taiwan Holds War Drills with Attack Sirens and Tanks Amid China Threat

Taiwan has deployed attack sirens, tanks, and simulated internet disruptions as part of its annual Han Kuang war games, designed to prepare for a potential Chinese assault. Soldiers participated in defence simulations to secure a vital port during the exercises in Yilan, northeastern Taiwan, on Monday (10/8/2026). On the same day, Taiwan also conducted air raid drills across much of the central part of the island.

For the first time in the annual war game series, the exercises simulated communication disruptions, including slowing down mobile internet access, in preparation for a possible Chinese attack or natural disasters. Air raid sirens sounded across various regions as the drills took place. At a food centre in Taichung, shop shutters were lowered after the siren sounded, while residents were instructed to take cover by crouching and placing their hands over their heads in an indoor car park as the siren continued to wail.

Taiwan, which has a democratic government, has long faced the threat of invasion from China. As part of civil defence preparations, residents are regularly asked to clear the streets for about 30 minutes when air raid drills are held in conjunction with the annual military exercises. In addition to the air raid drills, Taiwan’s military also conducted live-fire exercises on the Penghu Islands on Monday. The strategically important area in the Taiwan Strait was the site of simulations to counter Chinese landing attempts.

Troops from the First Area Defense Command opened fire at dawn on a beach in Penghu using M60A3 tanks, various artillery pieces, and anti-aircraft weapons. During the exercise, troops combined different weapons systems to form a layered defence against a scenario where the enemy attempts a rapid landing on the coast. The Han Kuang exercises last for 10 days and began last week. The annual drills simulate various war scenarios, including the possibility of China using military force to seize Taiwan.

Taiwan and China have been governed separately since the civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take the island.