Han Kuang Exercise

Republic of China Air Force aircraft during the Han Kuang Exercise.

The Han Kuang Exercise (Chinese: 漢光演習; pinyin: Hànguāng Yǎnxí) is the annual military drill of the Republic of China Armed Forces in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu for combat readiness in the event of an attack from the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China.[1] The exercise is divided into two phases, which are the Command Post Exercise (CPX) and the computer-simulated war gaming followed by Field Training Exercises (FTX).[2]

History

1984

The exercise was first held by Army General Hau Pei-tsun (the then Chief of the General Staff) in 1984.[3]

2006

The 2006 Han Kuang Exercise was held at the coastal area of Yilan County, attended by President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu and involving around 13,000 servicemen. It was the first time the Patriot-II missiles were deployed.[4]

2008

The 2008 exercise was held on 23-27 June for the computer-simulated war gaming, while the field training exercises were held on 22-26 September.[5]

2011

The 2011 exercise was held on 11-15 April in Taichung City and Pingtung County.[6]

2012

In the 2012 exercise, President Ma Ying-jeou was out of Taiwan during the drill due to his diplomatic visits to three African countries, making the first time of the exercise with the absence of the president.[3]

2013

The 2013 5-day exercise was held in April 2013 in Penghu.[7]

2014

The 2014 exercise was held in Chiayi County and Penghu County. Civilian airplanes were used for the first time for personnel transport, carrying military officers and reservists from Kaohsiung to Penghu.[8]

2015

The 2015 exercise consists of two stages. The first stage was held on 4-8 May 2015, designed to test the military's combat capabilities after undergoing streamlining process end of 2014.[9] The second stage is currently held from 7-11 September 2015 simulating attack from the People's Liberation Army. New weapon systems of Lockheed P-3 Orion marine patrol aircraft, Tuo Jiang stealth missile corvette, Pan Shi supply vessel, Cloud Leopard armored vehicle and remote-controlled aerial vehicles. The exercise is held at a military base in northern Hsinchu County.[10][11][12][13]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Han Kuang exercises.

References


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