MNA

President Lai Ching-te recently traveled to Pingtung to observe the “2026 Joint Precision Missile-Firing Exercise” and extend Mid-Autumn Festival greetings to service members. After reviewing the exercise firsthand, President Lai commended the Armed Forces for demonstrating joint operational capabilities and the results of rigorous training through realistic exercises. He emphasized that the government will continue supporting enhanced training and equipment modernization to strengthen combat readiness and safeguard national security. Upon arrival, President Lai first inspected the safety control center and observed a live-fire exercise. He also presented meal supplement funds in recognition of the participating service members’ hard work. In his remarks, President Lai thanked all personnel and supporting units involved in the exercise. He stated that whether conducting live-fire missions or providing logistical and technical support, the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by service members were essential to the successful completion of the mission. President Lai explained that precision missile-firing exercises are vital for evaluating weapon effectiveness, training results, and the joint operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Every stage, from exercise planning and equipment preparation to firing operations and logistical support, must be executed with precision. During the three-day exercise, participating units conducted joint air defense, counterstrike operations, naval-air coordination, littoral strikes, and coastal defense missions in accordance with the Taiwan-Penghu Defense Operations Plan. All exercise objectives were successfully achieved, demonstrating the results of the Armed Forces’ rigorous day-to-day training. President Lai noted that the exercise was conducted under realistic combat conditions, thoroughly testing the command-and-control and coordinated operational capabilities of all service branches. In particular, several types of attack drones were incorporated into a joint operational exercise for the first time. The coordinated employment of unmanned systems and conventional weapons reflects the evolving nature of modern warfare and will accelerate improvements in the Armed Forces’ overall combat capabilities. President Lai added that the exercise demonstrated to the people of Taiwan and the international community that the Armed Forces have both the confidence and capability to defend national sovereignty and fulfill their responsibility to maintain regional peace and stability. The President stated that peace does not come easily and must be safeguarded through firm resolve and sufficient strength. Every realistic exercise further enhances combat capabilities and readiness, strengthening the nation’s ability to defend peace. The professionalism and discipline displayed by service members in carrying out their missions provide the strongest foundation for national security and underpin the people’s trust in the Armed Forces. President Lai emphasized that the government will continue supporting the Armed Forces in enhancing training and modernizing equipment while also improving service members’ working conditions and welfare. He urged commanders at all levels to lead their units effectively and take good care of their personnel, enabling service members to focus on training and perform their duties with peace of mind. The President also encouraged all service members to continue honing their combat skills, remain steadfast at their posts, and complete every combat-readiness mission to jointly safeguard national security and protect Taiwan’s democratic and free way of life. President Lai was accompanied by Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an; National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling; National Security Council Advisor Liu Te-chin; National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lii Wen; Chief of Army General Lu Kun-hsiu; Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo; Deputy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Hsu Chin-teng; Deputy Chief of Air Force Lieutenant General Wang Te-yang; and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology President Li Shih-chiang.

President Lai Ching-te presided over the “2026 Armed Forces Day and All-out Defense Education Day Awards Ceremony” today. He said the government would continue strengthening the Armed Forces’ combat capabilities and Taiwan’s overall defense resilience, advancing defense self-reliance, and caring for service members. He also thanked the Armed Forces for defending the homeland and all sectors of society for supporting national defense. The President called on everyone to stand united in safeguarding national security, democracy, freedom, and peace. President Lai was accompanied by Strategic Advisors to the Office of the President Huoh Shou-yeh, Lin Chen-yi, and Liu Jen-yuan; National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; Deputy Secretary-General Lii Wen; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Chief of the General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu; Chief of Army General Lu Kun-xiu; Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo; Chief of Air Force General Cheng Jung-feng; National Defense University President Admiral Tang Hua; and Friends of Armed Forces Association Chairman Huang Cheng-tsung. During the ceremony, the President presented awards to Outstanding Armed Forces Personnel, Exemplary Armed Forces Units, organizations and individuals recognized for outstanding contributions to all-out defense education, exemplary supporters of the Armed Forces, and exemplary reserve advisory cadres. The awards recognized their exceptional contributions to national defense development, all-out defense education, military support initiatives, and reserve affairs. In his remarks, President Lai noted that Armed Forces Day would be celebrated the following day, September 3. He said he was pleased to gather with Armed Forces personnel and extended his sincerest congratulations and gratitude to all award recipients, including outstanding personnel, exemplary units, and exceptional partners in all-out defense education, military support initiatives, and reserve affairs. Those honored today are outstanding representatives of the Armed Forces and wider society. However, every service member who defends the nation and its people deserves the public’s heartfelt respect and gratitude. President Lai said this year’s award-winning units demonstrated the missions and responsibilities undertaken by the Armed Forces in different roles. The Assault Helicopter Group of the Army Aviation 602nd Brigade is responsible for air assaults, rapid reinforcement, and the transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies. After Typhoon Ragasa devastated Hualien last year, the unit deployed helicopters to transport search-and-rescue personnel and equipment into the disaster area, exemplifying the Armed Forces’ commitment to defending the homeland and protecting the people. The Air Force’s 41st Tactical Fighter Group of the 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing has long performed air defense alert duties. Amid rapidly evolving conditions around the Taiwan Strait, its personnel maintain combat readiness day and night, making the unit an essential force in protecting Taiwan’s airspace. Tseng Chung-fu, chief advisor to the Southern Taitung County Advisory Group, has also provided longstanding support for national defense. Last year, he assisted the Armed Forces in establishing an artillery live-fire training range in Taimali, expanding the military’s training capacity. These achievements vividly demonstrate both the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting the people and society’s support for the military. They are also concrete examples of all-out defense in practice. President Lai also highlighted Marine Corps company commander Captain Tsai Yin-lan, an Outstanding Armed Forces Personnel award recipient. From becoming Taiwan’s seventh female combat frogman to working her way through the ranks to become an officer, she exemplifies the younger generation’s courage in pursuing their aspirations. The President thanked all award recipients for their contributions. He expressed hope that the ceremony would allow the public to see the Armed Forces’ efforts and achievements while helping more young people understand that wearing the uniform and defending the nation is a calling worthy of pride. President Lai noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the “All-out Defense Education Act.” Over the past two decades, all-out defense education has expanded beyond schools and government agencies into society, enabling more people to understand and support national defense and participate in strengthening whole-of-society defense resilience. Faced with rapidly changing international conditions and the continued expansion of Chinese authoritarianism, Taiwan must not only continue enhancing the Armed Forces’ combat capabilities but also ensure that both the government and society possess sufficient response capacity. President Lai said Han Kuang 42 Exercise, completed last month, focused on realistic combat conditions and validated capabilities including joint operations and dispersed deployment while continuing to strengthen overall defense resilience. He expressed his recognition and gratitude to all officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted personnel who participated in the exercise. The President emphasized that every additional measure of preparedness makes the nation safer. Only by continually strengthening defense and deterrence can Taiwan better safeguard national security and regional peace. Accordingly, Taiwan’s overall defense budget for next year will exceed NT$1 trillion for the first time, reaching NT$1.1225 trillion and remaining above 3 percent of GDP. This demonstrates Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defense capabilities to the international community. The government will continue advancing defense self-reliance, developing the defense industry, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems, and enhancing Taiwan’s overall capacity to respond to future challenges. President Lai said people are at the heart of national defense capabilities. As the government supports national defense, it must also care for officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted personnel. From the administration of former President Tsai Ing-wen through President Lai’s tenure, the government has continued improving compensation for Armed Forces personnel. Last year, it approved increases to allowances for volunteer service members, combat units, tactical air control, electronic reconnaissance, and cyber operations. Drone units became eligible for the combat unit allowance in February this year. In July, the government also introduced Type III Combat Unit Allowance, providing an additional NT$4,000 per month to personnel serving in brigade-level and below units that provide combat service support. Conscripted officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted personnel serving in combat units are also eligible for the allowance. Additionally, the professional and supervisory allowances for military personnel, civil servants, and public school educators were each increased by NT$2,000 in July. A further 4% across-the-board pay raise will take effect next January, marking the government’s fifth pay increase for these personnel in 10 years. The “Xing’an Project” initiated by former President Tsai and the “Zhanxing Project” continued under President Lai are both intended to improve the Armed Forces’ living and training environments. The government is also strengthening childcare, family-care, and other forms of support so that service members can serve with peace of mind and concentrate on their missions. President Lai noted that the Armed Forces now enjoy considerable support from across society. Since July last year, six Taiwan-based airlines have offered military personnel priority boarding. In response to the government’s initiative, 640 brands and more than 20,000 retail locations are participating in this year’s corporate military appreciation campaign. The President thanked all businesses and sectors of society supporting the Armed Forces. He also expressed his gratitude to the military families present, emphasizing that their support is an indispensable part of Taiwan’s defense capabilities. President Lai concluded by stating that a nation’s true strength comes not only from advanced equipment but also from its people standing together in unity when challenges arise. When service members defend the nation, the government supports the Armed Forces, society places its trust in them, and the people cherish democracy and freedom, these combined strengths enable Taiwan to address any challenge. The President called on everyone in Taiwan to remain united in safeguarding national security and preserving democracy, freedom, and peace.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung presided over the National Defense University’s “Joint Graduation Ceremony for the 2026 Advanced Professional Military Education Programs” today. He extended his sincere congratulations to all graduating officers and encouraged them to integrate and apply what they had learned, remain committed to their missions and values, advance reform and innovation, and exercise effective leadership in their future positions. Together, he said, they must shoulder the important responsibilities of force development and combat readiness. The ceremony was held this morning at the University’s Shuai Zhen Campus. Minister Koo presented graduation certificates and awards to outstanding student officers, as well as service medals to officers from allied nations. Minister Koo noted that the graduation marks the conclusion of advanced education but also the beginning of new responsibilities. Faced with complex threats posed by gray-zone harassment, cognitive warfare, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Armed Forces must continue advancing force development and combat readiness while deepening education and training to deter threats effectively. Minister Koo outlined three expectations for the graduates: “Remain committed to your missions and values to ensure national security,” “Advance reform and innovation to strengthen defense capabilities,” and “Demonstrate effective leadership to guide the Armed Forces’ development.” He noted that in recent years, the Armed Forces have continued advancing toward the goals of “new training, new thinking, new equipment, and new technology,” guided by an approach that is “people-centered, AI-assisted, and combat-oriented toward realistic combat conditions.” Through phased, realistic exercises such as Rapid Response Exercise, Joint Defense Exercise, and Han Kuang Exercise, the Armed Forces have improved the speed and efficiency of the transition from peacetime to wartime, deepened decentralized command and control, and implemented live-fire validation throughout all operational phases, thereby continuing to strengthen defense capabilities. Minister Koo emphasized that even the most advanced technology and equipment cannot replace human leadership and judgment. He encouraged the graduates to embrace new knowledge, make effective use of emerging technologies, and foster an organizational culture built on respect for professional expertise, trust and empowerment, fairness, and transparency. He also urged them to listen to personnel at the unit level, remain attentive to service members’ needs, and lead by example so that they and their subordinates can grow together. By applying their expertise in their respective positions, the graduates can provide fresh momentum for the modernization of the Armed Forces.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung spoke to the media today before attending the second joint meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Economics, Foreign Affairs and National Defense, and Finance Committees. He said that President Lai Ching-te’s inspection of military units was intended to gain an understanding of preparations for exercises and training and to encourage service members. The visit would not affect the scheduled activities or validation objectives of the Han Kuang Exercise. The Armed Forces currently have no plans to conduct live-fire drills on Taiwan proper and will not arrange any specifically for the presidential inspection. Responding to a question about whether President Lai’s inspection would run counter to the original purpose of military training, Minister Koo explained that the exercise uses realistic training under conditions resembling actual combat to strengthen the Armed Forces’ joint operational capabilities. The President’s visit would neither disrupt routine training nor alter any scheduled activities or validation objectives. Minister Koo also stressed that media reports claiming that the Armed Forces would conduct live-fire drills on Taiwan proper were inaccurate. Although the President’s inspection itinerary was still being adjusted, no live-fire activities would be specially arranged. Regarding a report by the National Audit Office noting that NT$3.7 billion in maintenance funding had been allocated for the Air Force’s AT-3 trainer aircraft despite their impending retirement, Minister Koo explained that the report addressed expenditures from last year. The AT-3 fleet would not begin to be phased out until July this year, so expenses for contractor-provided maintenance and other support remained necessary. Maintenance costs will decline as the aircraft are gradually withdrawn from service. Responding to concerns raised in the National Audit Office’s final accounts report that the Armed Forces’ counter-drone systems do not cover the 5.1 GHz frequency band or address emerging threats such as fiber-optic-controlled and AI-enabled autonomous drones, Lieutenant General Sun Li-fang, Director of the Administration Office of the Minister and Ministry spokesperson, explained that the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology launched its current counter-drone system project in 2021. The system was designed primarily to counter commercial drones operating on the 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 1.2 GHz, and 1.5 GHz frequency bands. After China introduced the use of the 5.1 GHz band in 2023, NCSIST planned a system upgrade to incorporate that band into its detection and countermeasure coverage. Lieutenant General Sun further explained that portions of the S-band used by the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System are primarily employed for transmitting and receiving short messages and are not among the frequency bands currently used primarily by drones. These frequencies are also important to Taiwan’s domestic 4G and 5G mobile communications. Under National Communications Commission regulations, they may not be used by general-purpose/civilian drones and were therefore not included in the current counter-drone system. Fiber-optic-controlled and AI-enabled autonomous drones have emerged only in recent years and were not included in the original project. The Ministry is now working through its Defense Innovation Unit to identify mature domestic and overseas suppliers while combining commercial solutions with indigenous research and development to plan future countermeasure systems. Addressing foreign media reports that the PLA had constructed replicas of the Presidential Office Building, government agencies, naval bases, and other facilities for simulated attack or occupation training, Lieutenant General Sun said that the facilities and related PLA activities were within the scope of the Armed Forces’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Following the principle of preparing for the broadest range of enemy capabilities, the Ministry is developing appropriate responses to possible PLA operations against Taiwan while continually strengthening force development, combat readiness, and training. Lieutenant General Sun emphasized that the reports underscored the severity of the current threat. The Armed Forces will respond prudently and continue enhancing all aspects of combat readiness. He also called on the public to support both the annual defense budget and the special defense budget so the military can secure the resources required to improve its training, readiness, and defense capabilities. Regarding the recovery of Taiwan’s share of F-16 development costs, Lieutenant General Sun explained that under US foreign military sales procedures, the maximum recoverable amount of R&D cost-sharing reimbursement under the “Peace Phoenix Rising Program” for the F-16 Block 20 is US$319 million. Approximately US$245 million has been recovered to date. The Air Force will continue using project management mechanisms and regular meetings to monitor other countries’ participation in the program and the reconciliation of foreign military sales accounts, while seeking the R&D cost-sharing reimbursement to which Taiwan is entitled.

The Fifth Theater of Operations conducted a heavy artillery live-fire exercise today around the northern and southern banks of the Dajia River estuary in Taichung. The exercise integrated forces from the 58th Artillery Command, the 234th and the 586th Combined Arms Brigade. Conducted with troops and live ammunition, the exercise demonstrated the Armed Forces’ rigorous training standards and unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security. According to the Fifth Theater of Operations, the exercise featured six types of organic weapons systems, including the Thunderbolt-2000 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), M109A2 self-propelled howitzers, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, 155mm howitzers, 120mm mortars, and TOW missile carrier vehicles armed with TOW 2A and TOW 2B missiles. The drill was conducted simultaneously across a 20-kilometer-wide front and eight separate firing positions. Through realistic combat scenarios, participating units validated joint-fire effectiveness and the operational kill chain. A major highlight of the exercise was the Thunderbolt-2000 MLRS, an indigenous system developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), which conducted live-fire firing missions within the operational area for the first time in seven years. The exercise simulated enemy amphibious forces attempting to invade central Taiwan. During the initial phase, the Thunderbolt-2000 MLRS conducted area bombardment against simulated enemy forces landing on Baishatun Beach. Subsequently, M109A2 and M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, together with 155mm howitzers, delivered concentrated fires against key objectives, effectively disrupting and degrading enemy combat capabilities at Jianan Beach. TOW missile carrier vehicles and 120mm mortars then continued suppressive fire operations against advancing enemy forces, successfully accomplishing all assigned fire missions. The Fifth Theater of Operations emphasized that the exercise integrated heavy artillery and newly fielded weapons systems into a defensive operations scenario conducted directly within the designated operational area, thereby enhancing the realism and effectiveness of combat-oriented training. Through the exercise, service members further reinforced the principle that “everywhere is a battlefield and training is continuous,” while strengthening command and control capabilities and implementing the core concepts of “new training, new thinking, new equipment, and new technology.” The exercise also contributed to enhancing overall defensive combat readiness and operational effectiveness.

The Armed Forces' Fourth Theater of Operations conducted its annual Heavy Artillery Maintenance Firing Exercise at the Fonggang North Position on June 4. Soldiers from the Artillery Battalion of the Army's 333rd Combined Arms Brigade operated organic artillery systems and executed firing missions under simulated combat conditions. The exercise verified the readiness and operational effectiveness of weapons and equipment while demonstrating the military's commitment and determination to defend the homeland. During the exercise, the unit first completed artillery deployment and pre-firing preparations. Following a simulated enemy threat, the Fire Direction Center issued firing orders in accordance with requirements from the Joint Firepower Coordination Center. Using 155mm howitzers, the unit conducted three training tasks in sequence: harassing and interdiction fire, destructive fire against key objectives, and counterattack fire. In addition to verifying the operational performance of the artillery systems, the Heavy Artillery Maintenance Firing Exercise enhanced the unit's proficiency in fire direction, surveying, observation, communications, and artillery drill through live-fire training. The exercise achieved its objective of strengthening service members' military competence and professional skills.

The Army Unmanned Systems Training Command conducted a live-fire exercise featuring First-Person View (FPV) and munition-dropping drones on June 3. General Lu, Kun-xiu ,Chief of Army, personally supervised the training. The exercise simulated realistic battlefield conditions and conducted precision strikes against various armored vehicles and enemy positions. The drill fully demonstrated the military’s ability to integrate modern warfare trends and employ effective asymmetric warfare capabilities. The Command stated that the live-fire exercise drew upon international combat experience from recent conflicts, including the Russia–Ukraine War. It adopted a development approach for attack drones centered on low cost, high efficiency, and modularity. The exercise was divided into multiple training scenarios, including single-drone operations and dual-drone coordinated strike tactics. The training aimed to familiarize commanders and drone operators with the complete kill chain process of reconnaissance, target designation, tracking, target acquisition, engagement, and battle damage assessment. It also served to verify the operational effectiveness of integrating domestically developed explosive payload kits with unmanned aerial systems. During the FPV drone exercise, operators wore VR goggles and controlled the drones through a first-person perspective supported by real-time video transmission. They demonstrated a high level of proficiency in flight control. The drones were equipped with 3.5-inch high-explosive anti-armor warheads and executed frontal and flank attacks against CM12 tanks, CM24 armored ammunition carriers, and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). The operators conducted dive attacks from optimal strike angles to engage the designated targets. In the munition-dropping drone training scenario, the exercise evaluated damage effects against enemy wheeled vehicles and dispersed infantry formations. The drones demonstrated excellent loitering capability and optical targeting performance. After ascending to designated altitudes, the operators locked onto the tops of CM12 tanks, including those equipped with cage armor, as well as HMMWVs. They then released 6-inch fin-stabilized high-explosive anti-armor munitions with precision, inflicting devastating damage on enemy personnel and equipment. During his remarks, General Lu stated that precision strikes on the battlefield were never achieved overnight. He noted that successful examples observed in international conflicts had resulted from hundreds or even thousands of failures and extensive training. General Lu emphasized, “Flight operation skills are the most fundamental requirement. Just as tactical discussions are meaningless if a shooter cannot accurately fire a pistol, advanced tactics and strategies are equally ineffective if drone operators lack proficiency and precision.” He added that the impressive attack angles demonstrated during the exercise reflected the operators’ rigorous daily training. The Command emphasized that, in response to current threats and future operational environments, offensive and defensive drone operations had become a core area of continuous tactical development. The exercise not only enabled operators to verify flight parameters under live-munition conditions but also effectively strengthened their ability to perform under pressure in realistic combat environments.

The Army’s Kinmen Defense Command conducted the second-quarter “Taiwu Exercise” today. Officers and enlisted personnel completed tasks such as entering positions and combat in the main position zone in accordance with orders. The Kinmen Garrison Battalion deployed M60A3 tanks, CM21 armored vehicles, and Javelin missiles, in coordination with the Kinmen Defense Command’s mixed artillery battalion’s 8-inch howitzers, 155mm cannons, and other organic weapons to conduct live-fire shooting. They also used the “Team Awareness Kit (TAK)” to strengthen command and control resilience, and employed “unmanned aerial vehicles” for target reconnaissance and battlefield control, thereby enhancing joint arms combat effectiveness. To validate the unit’s ability to respond to multiple threats, the Kinmen Garrison Battalion’s tank battalion, mechanized infantry battalion, and anti-armor company, in coordination with the long-range strike firepower of the mixed artillery battalion, simultaneously conducted the quarterly “Taiwu Exercise” live-fire training from different locations. Through the method of “real troops, real locations, and real ammunition,” they executed key area fire destruction and limited target attack tasks, thereby improving the officers and enlisted personnel’s ability to respond and defeat the enemy. This exercise also invited local leaders, gentry, and police representatives from Kinmen County to witness the results of the military’s rigorous training. After the command post issued the situation, 8-inch howitzers, 155mm cannons, and 120mm mortars in the positions first conducted “key area fire destruction.” This was followed by the main position zone combat phase. Officers and enlisted personnel conducted “Javelin missile” live-fire shooting for the first time in this exercise area, simulating strikes against enemy forces advancing from the sea and covering the maneuver of armored vehicles. Finally, M60A3 tanks and CM21 armored vehicles carried out limited target attacks to block and annihilate enemy forces attempting beach landings. In this Taiwu Exercise, the Kinmen Defense Command, based on composite scenarios, dispatched armored vehicles for maneuver and used Javelin missiles to precisely lock onto sea targets, combining with the intense firepower of artillery units to successfully complete the mission, demonstrating the officers and enlisted personnel’s determination to defend the homeland and not yield an inch of ground.

Altius-600M Attack Drone Conducts First Live-Fire Shooting—Minister Koo Visits the Site to Commend Personnel Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung inspected the “Altius-600M Attack Drone Acceptance Live-Fire Exercise” today (December 18), commending the personnel’s dedication and efforts in training and encouraging everyone to continue implementing combat readiness preparations, demonstrating the determination to defend the homeland. In the morning, accompanied by Chief of Army Headquarters General Lu and relevant officers, Minister Koo inspected the live status of the attack drone exercise, received a mission briefing, understood the unit’s firing situation, and commended the exercise personnel for their hard work. This live-fire shooting was conducted around the Zhuoshui River, performed by the Unmanned Aircraft System Training Center and various artillery commands, verifying unit operational procedures and overall command-and-control effectiveness. The exercise first conducted performance testing with training drones to confirm the firing airspace and target area environment, then proceeded with live-fire drones to validate personnel proficiency in equipment operation and troubleshooting, as well as the effectiveness of system and command-and-control integration. After the exercise concluded, Minister Koo personally went to the site to commend the participating units, expressing appreciation for the personnel’s teamwork and demonstration of training results; he also expressed expectations that through post-exercise reviews and other measures, areas for improvement will be identified, combat readiness preparations will continue to be implemented, and the determination to defend the homeland and safeguard national security will be demonstrated.

To strengthen beach defense combat capabilities, the Marine Corps Command conducted the “Second Half of 2025 Operational Plan Live-Fire Exercise” yesterday (November 4). Based on enemy threat situations and possible enemy actions, the exercise validated command, control, and communications; fire coordination; target acquisition and transmission; integration of the ICS communication system; logistics and maintenance; and command staff procedures. It integrated six units, including the air defense and guard group, to jointly execute situation response and live-fire drills, demonstrating coordinated combat capabilities and assessing unit combat readiness training results. The exercise was divided into different operational phases: “routine crisis management,” “pre-combat deployment,” “joint counter-landing,” and “coastal and beach combat.” Live firing involved ten types of light and heavy weapons, including 105mm howitzers, 40mm grenade launchers, 20mm cannons, and T74 machine guns. Combined with surveillance drones, it completed target acquisition and live-fire procedures, enhancing personnel proficiency in live-fire operations and command-and-control effectiveness. Notably, this exercise incorporated the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), utilizing real-time imagery and frontline surveillance data return to integrate battlefield intelligence and share it across endpoints, creating a common operational picture and improving unit coordinated combat capabilities. This comprehensive combat exercise not only trained each unit’s response effectiveness when facing maritime landing threats but also strengthened commanders’ real-time adaptability, fire coordination, position transition, and joint defense sector integration capabilities, enhancing overall joint combat and rapid reaction capabilities to ensure the security of maritime domains in the face of various threats.