Taiwan live-streams Han Kuang navy mine deployment as troops test metro tactics

Taiwan’s navy on Monday live-streamed a minelaying drill to showcase its determination to block and delay a potential amphibious assault by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The display was part of this year’s annual Han Kuang military exercise aimed at strengthening combat readiness for a potential cross-strait conflict.

The drill, held off the Zuoying naval base in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, coincided with a separate urban warfare exercise in which military police armed with Stinger missiles carried out an underground redeployment – using the Taipei metro system before dawn to transport troops, ammunition and supplies under simulated air strike threats.

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te (centre) oversees a naval minelaying drill on Monday. Photo: AFP

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te oversaw the navy drill, which, like last week’s M1A2T Abrams tank live-fire training, was broadcast live for the first time to boost public confidence and showcase operational readiness.

Monday’s demonstration featured fast minelaying boats and LCU-406 landing craft, operating under the protection of amphibious reconnaissance units. Troops deployed Taiwan-made Wan Xiang-series naval mines, including moored and bottom types designed to damage or deter both enemy surface ships and submarines.

Describing the mines as “oceanic roadblocks”, a minelaying officer said they were cost-effective and hard to remove – a classic asymmetric weapon capable of disrupting PLA landing operations.

South China Morning Post