TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan completed its Han Kuang 41 military exercise (漢光演習), which mobilized over 22,000 reservists at the brigade level for the first time in the drill's history. Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) praised the efficiency of the "original soldiers return to original posts" strategy during his report to Taiwan's parliament, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), on Monday (July 28). The unprecedented mobilization marked a significant milestone in Taiwan's defense preparedness efforts.
The Army's 206th Brigade had defended the Taoyuan region during the exercise, assembling approximately 3,000 personnel for combat readiness and pre-war training. Minister Koo emphasized enhanced safe driving protocols and route familiarization for troops. The safety focus emerged following a traffic accident during the completed military exercises.
British Defense Secretary John Healey expressed the United Kingdom's readiness to operate in the Pacific region during any potential Taiwan conflict. Minister Koo interpreted this international support as compelling evidence of Taiwan's strategic importance for regional peace and stability. Taiwan must strengthen its war preparedness and self-defense capabilities while fostering collaboration with like-minded democratic nations to effectively deter aggressive actions from China. ◼
