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Ceremonial soldiers parade during the 79th anniversary of the Victory Day in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2024. (Sefa Karacan via Getty Images)
July 9 marks the start of Han Kuang, Taiwan’s largest annual military exercise. This year’s will be the longest ever, with 10 days of live-fire drills. Notably, it will also incorporate more civilian defense exercises and gray-zone scenarios, demonstrating Taiwan’s focus on whole-of-society readiness in the face of China’s increasing belligerence toward the island and across the Indo-Pacific region.
President William Lai has already committed to increasing Taiwan’s defense budget to over 3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product to prepare for and deter China’s threats. Han Kuang is a chance for the country to demonstrate its improved military and societal readiness.
Hudson’s Riley Walters will discuss what to look for during these exercises and what more Taiwan can do to strengthen its defense posture with a panel of military experts.
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