In the pre‑dawn darkness of early August, Taiwanese soldiers on the Penghu Islands loaded 105mm shells into four tanks and waited for orders to fire. The live‑fire drill was part of the annual Han Kuang exercises, designed to prepare the garrison for a possible Chinese invasion.
Strategic importance of Penghu
Penghu, a cluster of about 90 islands and islets located roughly 50 km southwest of Taiwan’s main island, is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and coral reefs. Military experts say its location makes it a likely first‑wave target for any Chinese assault, as controlling the islands would allow Beijing to threaten Taiwan’s main island and dominate the Taiwan Strait.
Senior officials from Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research warned that Chinese ships attempting to bypass Penghu could be struck by missiles launched from the islands, forcing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to seize Penghu before any attack on Taiwan itself.
Enhanced weapons and training
To deter such a scenario, Taiwan is deploying longer‑range weapons, including Hsiung Feng III anti‑ship missiles, on Penghu. The islands’ new drone force, established in July, also participated in the drills, reflecting the United States’ emphasis on unmanned aerial systems for Taiwan’s defense.
During the exercises, tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, mortars and infantry simulated repelling an amphibious landing. The Navy’s Coastal Operations Command sent missile launch vehicles to beachfront positions for the first time, underscoring the integrated nature of the defense effort.
Civilian resilience program
Beyond the military, the Taiwanese government is preparing the 110,000 residents of Penghu for wartime emergencies. About 1,200 locals have joined a “whole‑of‑society defense resilience” program that trains volunteers in first aid, emergency repairs and civil‑defense tasks.
Neighborhood chief Chen Chen‑chung, who leads a civil‑defense group of roughly 100 volunteers, said the islands would likely be among the first places attacked. Local business owners, such as auto‑shop proprietor Ho Chi‑hua, have signed agreements to assist the military, even though doing so could make their enterprises targets in a conflict.
Broader regional context
China’s President Xi Jinping has ordered the PLA to be ready to seize Taiwan by 2027, a goal that heightens the strategic urgency for Taiwan’s defenses. While Beijing has not renounced the use of force, it has not responded to specific questions about Penghu.
The United States, Taiwan’s principal security partner, continues to stress the importance of drones and other advanced systems in any defense of the island nation.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
