Taiwan military simulates attack on Penghu naval base, deploys tanks

Taiwan's military executed a large-scale defense exercise simulating an enemy attack on the Tientai base at Makung Port in Penghu on August 12. The drill, part of the Han Kuang exercises, tested the rapid response capabilities of the First Operational Command.

During the simulation, the Tientai base, a crucial naval facility for defending Taiwan's western maritime frontier, was depicted as under siege. Following an emergency signal, responding units, including M60A3 tanks, were rapidly deployed to reinforce the base. The exercise integrated drone surveillance for intelligence gathering, tank firepower, and ground troop maneuvers to neutralize the simulated threat.

Reconnaissance drones were deployed first to assess enemy positions and activities, relaying real-time imagery to the command center. This intelligence guided the subsequent deployment of forces and firepower. M60A3 tanks moved into tactical positions, using their onboard weaponry to suppress enemy advances while supporting ground troops in clearing the port area of simulated invaders.

The exercise underscored the strategic importance of Makung Port and the Tientai base, which has been a significant naval installation since the Japanese colonial era. The drill aimed to validate the effectiveness of command and control systems, battlefield support, and joint operations in safeguarding this vital military asset and maintaining Taiwan's maritime combat power.