- Taiwan is intentionally slowing mobile internet services for the first time as part of the 10-day Han Kuang military exercise, affecting around 70% of the island’s population.
- The exercise is testing public communication during a cyberattack or crisis, with more than 20,000 military personnel participating in drills to defend against a possible Chinese attack or blockade.
- Taiwan is drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine and is seeking approval for a special budget to expand military drone capabilities, as tensions with China escalate with the detection of 17 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island.
Taiwan plans to deliberately slow mobile internet services for the first time as part of the 10-day Han Kuang military exercise launched on Wednesday
According to the authorities, two 30-minute tests will be conducted next week in northern and central Taiwan, during which mobile data connections will be throttled. The affected areas are home to around 70% of the island’s population
Data-intensive services such as video calls and streaming could be significantly disrupted during the tests. However, voice calls, SMS, emergency services and other essential communications are expected to continue operating normally
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The exercise is intended to test how the public can communicate during a cyberattack or another major crisis
On Wednesday, Defence Minister Wellington Koo told lawmakers that the drill is intended to help the public understand that reduced network speeds could occur during emergencies and that such scenarios are among the contingencies being prepared for
According to local media, more than 20,000 military personnel, including some 5,000 reservists, are taking part. They are training to defend the island against a possible Chinese attack or blockade
The navy and coastguard are also rehearsing operations to secure key sea lanes and escort shipments of essential supplies
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The exercise also includes drone operations and training to counter hostile drones. According to the Defence Ministry, Taiwan is drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine
Defence Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang told dpa that a proposed special budget of 210 billion Taiwan dollars (US$7 billion) to expand Taiwan’s military drone capabilities is highly necessary
The plan includes the procurement of coastal surveillance drones, coastal attack drones and small unmanned suicide boats
The proposal is still pending approval by the opposition-controlled legislature
Taiwan on Wednesday said it detected a total of 17 Chinese military aircraft, including drones, operating around the island on the day before the exercise began. Koo said the patrols were an attempt by Beijing to exert psychological pressure and stir up the fear of war
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Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949. China views democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to bring the island under its control
