Taiwan launches five-day drill to counter sudden Chinese grey-zone threats

Taipei,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 14:42 IST

Taiwan began a five-day military exercise on Monday to strengthen the island’s combat readiness in case of a Chinese attack. The drills are aimed at testing how quickly military units can deploy, especially if China suddenly steps up its grey-zone warfare.

The Ministry of Defence said the exercises were designed to be realistic, with an emphasis on "real-time, live-fire and on-site" operations. Taiwan’s semi-official Central News Agency said the drills were meant to simulate developments before enemy forces launched their ships, and that future exercises could also include impromptu responses to Chinese military activity.

In Taoyuan, which is home to Taiwan’s largest international airport, tanks were seen moving through city streets and along highways as armoured vehicles from the Army’s 269th Infantry Brigade carried out morning combat readiness patrols, according to videos and photographs from the exercise.

Grey-zone tactics refer to aggressive actions that stop short of direct combat, including navy patrols and drone flights. The Immediate Combat Readiness Exercises, announced on Sunday afternoon, are meant to test Taiwan’s ability to respond quickly in such circumstances.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said China’s People’s Liberation Army sent 23 aircraft towards Taiwan between Sunday and Monday morning. The activity was accompanied by seven navy ships and five other Chinese government vessels. China sends warplanes, drones and navy ships towards the island on a daily basis.

Taiwan regularly carries out combat readiness drills as it seeks to strengthen its defence capabilities amid continued military pressure from China, which claims the self-governed island as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force. Earlier in June, Taiwan fired rockets in China’s direction for the first time during a military exercise.

With PTI Inputs

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