Taiwan’s military launches large-scale urban training exercise
In a show of readiness, Taiwan’s military has launched its annual urban training exercise, codenamed “Chang Tai 19.”
The exercise involves Taiwan’s Army 586th Armored Brigade and 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, deploying forces across central Taiwan, in areas spanning from Miaoli in the north to Kaohsiung in the south.
The multi-day exercise kicked off with a pre-dawn mobilization on Sunday evening, with tanks and military vehicles moving northward from Fengshan.
The military exercise, expected to span seven days and six nights, serves as a test of Taiwan’s readiness in urban environments, a key aspect of Taiwan’s defense strategy. In addition to movement and logistics, the training includes simulations of vehicle breakdowns and rapid battlefield repairs, a scenario that played out publicly as a tank marked with a “breakdown” sign was seen halted on a Kaohsiung street. Military officials later clarified that this was part of an exercise component aimed at assessing the response of repair units under combat conditions.
The drill comes amid rising regional tensions and highlights Taiwan’s ongoing investment in its ground defense capabilities. As the exercises continue, military analysts note the importance of urban and rapid-response training as a core focus for Taiwan’s defense in light of modern threats.
