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Taiwan Concludes Han Kuang Drills After Deliberate Mobile Internet Throttling

The final phase tested whole‑of‑society wartime readiness by simulating communications loss and practicing naval escorts, transport denial and medical evacuations to sharpen backup systems.

A Taiwanese Military Police officer fires a rifle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A Taiwan military Clouded Leopard armored vehicle takes part in a drill during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, center, inspects Taiwan Navy conducting coastal strike and nearshore defense exercises during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Overview

  • In the final phase on Thursday, authorities ran a 30‑minute mobile internet throttling exercise in multiple cities that coincided with air‑raid sirens and orders for people to shelter indoors.
  • Telecom operators reduced mobile data to roughly 256 Kbps so messaging and basic text services could function while fixed broadband, Wi‑Fi, voice calls and SMS were largely preserved.
  • The military and coast guard conducted anti‑blockade drills that escorted a simulated merchant vessel and had a minesweeper clear a navigation channel to test keeping supply lines open.
  • Ground forces rehearsed denial measures including bridge and tunnel blockades and staged mass‑casualty medical evacuations while thousands of reservists and civilian agencies practiced mobilization and logistics.
  • Beijing criticized the exercises as a “wasteful charade” and Taiwan reported elevated PLA activity near the island, leaving officials focused on hardening communications, refining backup plans and managing public disruption.