The “Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise” will run through Friday and forms part of Taiwan’s broader military modernization efforts to shift training toward realistic wartime scenarios and away from traditional scripted drills, the Ministry of National Defense said on Sunday.

The exercise comes as Taiwan increasingly bases portions of its military planning on the possibility that China could transform one of its frequent military operations around the island into a real attack with little warning.

According to the ministry, the drills will focus on improving the armed forces’ ability to conduct rapid transitions from peacetime to wartime conditions, while enhancing battlefield deployment, command coordination, logistical support and joint operational capabilities.

“The main objective is to train units at all levels to become familiar with combat practices and the battlefield environment during the readiness deployment phase,” the ministry said in a statement.

Officials said the exercise would involve troops operating in real-time conditions using actual equipment and terrain, reflecting Taiwan’s growing emphasis on combat-oriented training.

The announcement coincided with a new report of Chinese military activity near the island. Taiwan said 21 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and Y-20 aerial refueling planes, were detected operating near Taiwan on Sunday.

Nineteen of the aircraft entered airspace to Taiwan’s southwest and proceeded into the Western Pacific for what Taipei described as long-distance training missions over open seas.

Taiwan’s military said it monitored the activity and deployed forces to respond, using what it described as appropriate measures.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory despite the objections of the government in Taipei, has increased military operations around the island in recent years, regularly sending warships and aircraft into nearby waters and airspace.

Taiwan has responded by accelerating defense reforms, expanding reserve-force training and increasing the realism of military exercises designed to prepare for a potential cross-strait conflict.

Earlier this month, Taiwan conducted live-fire tests of its newly acquired U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a weapon platform that has gained prominence through its battlefield use in UkraineTaiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises, the island’s largest war games, are expected to take place in August.

Taiwan is expanding efforts to improve civilian drone skills as concerns over military pressure from China drive broader participation in civil defence initiatives, with new training programs drawing interest from citizens seeking practical ways to contribute during a potential crisis.

In a classroom in Taipei, participants of varying ages recently gathered to learn the basics of drone operation under what organizers describe as Taiwan’s first civil defence-focused drone training program. The initiative, launched in May by the civil defence organization Kuma Academy, reflects a growing emphasis on unmanned aerial systems in public preparedness planning and follows lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, where drones have become a central feature of modern conflict.

The course introduces participants to drone piloting through practical exercises designed to build manual flying skills. Organizers say the objective is not military training but improving public understanding of how drones can be used for observation, information gathering and emergency response in crisis situations.“The war in Ukraine has really changed how drones are used,” said Pan Chien-chin, a 48-year-old employee of a food company attending the program. For Pan, learning to fly a drone represents acquiring a practical skill that could prove useful if Taiwan ever faces a major emergency.

Taiwan’s civil defence movement has expanded significantly in recent years. Alongside drone training, volunteer organizations across the island have increased programs focused on first aid, casualty evacuation and emergency preparedness. More than 30 volunteer-led civil defence groups are currently active, reflecting growing public interest in resilience measures amid a deteriorating regional security environment.

The latest drone initiative comes as Taiwan faces sustained military pressure from China, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory. Beijing has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including large-scale exercises and regular deployments of aircraft and naval vessels near the island.Tang Tsong-yi, a spokesperson for Kuma Academy, said the drone course aims to help participants understand the capabilities and limitations of unmanned systems in contemporary conflicts.

According to Tang, the training allows civilians to move beyond traditional emergency preparedness by gaining skills that could assist in observing risks and sharing information during a crisis.Interest in drone technology has expanded beyond civil defence organizations. Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration reported that the number of registered drones surpassed 39,000 by December.

Regulatory changes introduced in 2024 lowered the minimum age for drone registration to 14, widening access to the technology among younger users.Educational institutions have also begun incorporating drone-related activities into their programs. Some high schools in Taipei now organize summer camps where students learn to assemble drones and apply them to search-and-rescue scenarios.

Demand for the new civil defence drone training has been strong. Sessions organized by Kuma Academy have sold out through August, with approximately 75 participants able to be trained each month.The participant profile reflects a broad cross-section of Taiwanese society. During one recent session, trainees included teenagers, working professionals and retirees. Women accounted for more than half of attendees.

Among them was 65-year-old retiree Karren Wang, who said drone operation could offer a meaningful way for older citizens to contribute during emergencies. Wang described the training environment as supportive and accessible for beginners, allowing participants with no prior experience to gain confidence in operating the devices.

Several participants interviewed during the training said they had previously completed first-aid courses and other civil defence programs. The addition of drone skills represents a further expansion of citizen preparedness efforts that have gained momentum across Taiwan in recent years.The growing interest in drones also reflects their evolving role in military operations.

In Ukraine, unmanned aerial systems have become deeply integrated into battlefield tactics, conducting reconnaissance, surveillance and attack missions. Military officials have estimated that drones are responsible for a substantial share of battlefield casualties, underscoring how rapidly the technology has altered modern warfare.

For Taiwan, drones are viewed as potentially valuable in any future emergency because of the island’s geography. Mountainous terrain and dispersed population centers can complicate communications and situational awareness, making unmanned systems useful for surveillance and information gathering.The training drones used in the course weigh less than 100 grams and are manufactured entirely in Taiwan.

Organizers deliberately selected systems without GPS guidance or autonomous flight capabilities. The decision reflects concerns that automated commercial drones could become vulnerable to electronic warfare measures such as signal jamming during armed conflict.Instead, trainees are encouraged to develop manual piloting skills and visual navigation techniques that would remain functional even if satellite-based systems were disrupted.

The emphasis on domestically produced equipment also aligns with broader efforts by Taiwan to strengthen supply chains for drone manufacturing independent of China. Taiwanese authorities and industry stakeholders have sought to position the island as a contributor to alternative global drone production networks at a time when concerns over supply-chain security have become increasingly prominent.

Those efforts, however, face political and budgetary challenges. A recently approved special defence budget passed by Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature removed funding designated for domestic drone production, highlighting continuing debates over defence spending priorities.Taiwan remains dependent on the United States for many major defence systems despite maintaining some domestic weapons manufacturing capabilities.

Questions surrounding future security assistance have drawn additional attention following changes in the political landscape in Washington and ongoing discussions regarding arms support for Taiwan.

For some participants, these uncertainties reinforce the importance of individual preparedness. One attendee, who requested anonymity because of employment ties to a defence-related company, said the motivation for joining the program stemmed from a desire to contribute as a citizen despite not serving in the military.

Pan expressed a similar view, saying that while individuals cannot influence broader geopolitical developments, they can take practical steps to prepare themselves.As security concerns continue to shape public debate in Taiwan, civil defence organizations are increasingly incorporating emerging technologies into their training programs, reflecting a wider recognition that skills once associated primarily with military operations are becoming part of broader societal preparedness efforts.

Speaking at a news conference in Taipei following her return, the chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) said meetings with U.S. lawmakers, government officials, policy experts and supporters had been positive and encouraging. She did not disclose specific outcomes or agreements resulting from the trip.

“Our meetings with the U.S. side were very positive,” Cheng said, adding that many discussions with members of the administration were confidential.

The visit came as the KMT faces scrutiny over its role in blocking a Taiwanese government proposal to allocate nearly $40 billion for military procurement, including U.S.-supplied weapons systems and domestically manufactured drones.

Cheng rejected reports suggesting she had been unable to secure meetings with senior U.S. security officials and said American interlocutors demonstrated strong understanding of the party’s positions, including its support for military cooperation with Washington and efforts to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

The KMT leader said her party remained committed to strengthening Taiwan’s security while pursuing policies aimed at reducing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Political analysts questioned the significance of the visit, noting the absence of publicly announced high-level meetings. Wen-Ti Sung, a political analyst at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, described Cheng’s reception in Washington as relatively restrained.

“Judging by public information, Cheng did not even get to meet working-level officials at, say, Assistant Secretary level — let alone further up the hierarchy,” Sung said. He added that the limited disclosure surrounding the meetings could indicate lingering reservations among U.S. officials.

Cheng has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Taiwanese politics since unexpectedly assuming leadership of the KMT last year. Her advocacy of closer engagement with China has attracted criticism from opponents who argue that such positions risk undermining Taiwan’s security interests.

The KMT has historically favored stronger ties with Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control.

The U.S. trip followed Cheng’s visit to Beijing two months ago, during which she met Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first meeting between a KMT leader and the Chinese leader in a decade. The visit also came weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Xi in the Chinese capital.

Although Washington shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the United States remains Taiwan’s principal security partner and largest source of defensive military equipment.

Recent comments by President Trump suggesting that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could potentially be used as leverage in broader negotiations with China have heightened concern among policymakers and security analysts about the future trajectory of U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Sung said Cheng’s Washington visit appeared designed to demonstrate her ability to engage both Beijing and Washington while presenting herself as a credible foreign policy figure. He added that success in balancing those relationships could strengthen speculation about a potential bid for Taiwan’s presidency in 2028.

Taiwan has been awaiting approval of a U.S. weapons package that Reuters previously reported could be worth as much as $14 billion. The issue has drawn increased attention after President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he had not yet decided whether to authorize the proposed sale following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Questions over the status of the package intensified after Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Thursday that arms sales to Taiwan had been paused to ensure sufficient munitions were available for Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February.

A source familiar with the matter disputed that characterization, saying arms transfers to Taiwan require years of planning, review and implementation and are unrelated to the conflict with Iran.
“These sales take years to process and are unrelated to Operation Epic Fury,” the source said, adding that the U.S. military maintained adequate munitions inventories to support the administration’s strategic objectives.

The comments come as Washington seeks to balance support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities with broader management of relations with Beijing. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island, urging Washington to halt such transfers.

The United States, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan, is obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the self-governed island with the means to defend itself.

Following Trump’s meeting with Xi, U.S. officials reiterated that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.

Taiwan’s government said on Friday it had not received any information indicating delays to pending U.S. arms sales.

Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s people can determine their future.

Speaking at a congressional hearing, Cao said foreign military sales to Taiwan had been put on hold while the Pentagon assessed weapons inventories needed for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign targeting Iran. He said the United States had sufficient stocks but was taking steps to ensure military requirements were fully met before resuming transfers.

“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said, adding that foreign military sales would continue once the administration determined it was appropriate.

The remarks mark the clearest public indication yet that the Iran conflict has affected the timing of U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan, which has sought to strengthen its defenses amid rising military pressure from China.

The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately comment on Cao’s statement.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office pushed back against suggestions that approved sales were being altered. Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said on Friday that Taipei had received no indication Washington intended to revise the arms package.

The reported delay centers on approximately $14 billion in weapons purchases sought by Taiwan, though U.S. officials have not detailed which systems could be affected by the pause.

The development comes as questions persist over President Donald Trump’s approach to Taiwan. While the United States formally recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, U.S. law requires Washington to provide the self-governed island with defensive weapons.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that Beijing’s opposition to such sales remained “consistent, clear and firm.”

Trump also signaled a potential shift in approach ahead of a recent visit to China, saying he would discuss Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Previous U.S. administrations had maintained that decisions on arms transfers to Taiwan were a matter between Washington and Taipei and not subject to consultation with Beijing.

Following the trip, Trump said he had made no commitments to Xi regarding Taiwan and would decide on the proposed sales within a relatively short period.
The pause underscores the competing demands facing U.S. defense planners as Washington balances support for partners in the Indo-Pacific with military commitments stemming from the Iran conflict.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he intended to speak with Lai as his administration considers potential arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by China.

A direct conversation between sitting presidents of the United States and Taiwan would be unprecedented since Washington formally switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 under the “One China” policy framework.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Lai remained committed to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and described China as “the disruptor of peace and stability.”

Lai would be “happy to discuss these matters with President Trump,” the ministry said in a statement.
“I’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody,” Trump said, adding that he had held productive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing last week.

“We’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” Trump said.
The remarks came after Trump suggested that future U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could become part of broader negotiations with Beijing, raising concerns in Taipei over Washington’s long-term security commitments.

Taiwan’s government has since sought to reassure domestic and international audiences that U.S. policy toward the island remains unchanged and that Trump made no commitments to China regarding military support for Taipei.

Taiwan relies heavily on U.S. security backing to deter potential military action from China, which considers the island part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to bring it under Beijing’s control, by force if necessary.

Taipei has also faced sustained pressure from Washington to increase defense spending and expand investment in American industries as part of closer economic and strategic coordination.

Trump previously disrupted diplomatic convention in 2016 when, as president-elect, he accepted a phone call from then Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing and surprising foreign policy officials in both Washington and Asia.

Speaking at a news conference in Taipei marking two years since taking office, Lai said Taiwan remained committed to maintaining the status quo while accusing Beijing of escalating military pressure across the Indo-Pacific region.

“My government is committed to maintaining the status quo, and Taiwan is also a guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.

“China is the one undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he added, citing Beijing’s expanding military exercises and deployments extending into the western Pacific.

The remarks came after Trump suggested last week that future US arms sales to Taiwan could serve as a bargaining tool in negotiations with China following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump also indicated he was considering whether to hold direct talks with Lai, which would mark a significant break from decades of US diplomatic practice.

Washington shifted formal diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, and no direct conversation between sitting US and Taiwanese presidents has occurred since then.

Lai said communication channels between Taipei and Washington remained open and that he would use any opportunity to convey the views of Taiwanese society directly to the US administration.

“The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign and independent country,” Lai said, using Taiwan’s formal constitutional name.

“No country has the right to annex Taiwan. The people of Taiwan pursue a democratic and free way of life.”
Lai also defended Taiwan’s continued purchases of US weapons systems, describing military procurement as necessary to preserve peace and deterrence across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan has increased defense spending amid rising Chinese military activity around the island and continued pressure from Washington for Taipei to assume greater responsibility for its own defense.
In Beijing, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office dismissed Lai’s comments, accusing Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of destabilizing the region.

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said Taiwan could not prevent what she described as the “historical trend” of reunification with the mainland.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control, though it continues to publicly advocate what it calls “peaceful reunification.”

Taiwan recently reported increased Chinese military operations near the island and published rare images of Chinese fighter aircraft and naval vessels operating in nearby waters.

Lai reiterated that Taiwan’s future could only be decided by its people and said Taipei remained willing to engage in dialogue with Beijing on the basis of equality and dignity.

The remarks came after Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the US president acknowledged uncertainty over future military sales to Taiwan, raising questions about Washington’s security commitment to the self-governed island claimed by China.

Despite having no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the United States remains Taipei’s most significant international supporter and is required under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive weapons.

Karen Kuo, spokesperson for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, said China’s intensifying military activities represented the main destabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Strait.

“Military sales between Taiwan and the US are not only a reflection of the US security commitment to Taiwan as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also serve as a mutual deterrence against regional threats,” Kuo said in a statement.She added that Taiwan appreciated Trump’s continued support for stability in the Taiwan Strait and would continue strengthening cooperation with Washington.

Reuters previously reported that a proposed second US arms package for Taiwan valued at approximately $14 billion remains pending approval after the Trump administration approved an $11 billion package in December.

Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi declined to comment directly on the pending sale, saying discussions remained ongoing with Washington.Taiwan’s government has also struggled to secure passage of a broader $40 billion defense spending proposal through an opposition-controlled parliament.

Earlier this month lawmakers approved roughly two-thirds of the requested budget, specifically allocating it for US arms procurement.US lawmakers from both major parties have urged the administration to continue supporting Taiwan militarily amid growing pressure from Beijing.

Trump also suggested he could speak directly with Lai regarding the proposed sale, telling reporters after his meeting with Xi that he needed to talk with “the person that’s running Taiwan.”Chen said Taipei was still trying to determine the “true intent” behind Trump’s comments.

A senior Taiwanese security official, speaking anonymously because of the issue’s sensitivity, said arms discussions should involve Taiwan rather than Beijing.China has increased military operations around Taiwan in recent years and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing rejects Lai’s government and labels him a separatist.Kuo reiterated Taiwan’s position that the Republic of China, the island’s formal name, is “a sovereign, independent democratic country,” dismissing Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The remarks introduced fresh uncertainty into Washington’s long-standing security support for Taiwan following Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday.

Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States remains the island’s principal international backer and is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide defensive weapons.

In a statement, spokesperson Karen Kuo for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said China’s growing military pressure represented the primary destabilizing factor in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait.

“Military sales between Taiwan and the US are not only a reflection of the US security commitment to Taiwan as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also serve as a mutual deterrence against regional threats,” Kuo said.

Taiwan thanked Trump for what Kuo described as his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait and said Taipei would continue strengthening cooperation with Washington.

Reuters previously reported that a second US arms package for Taiwan valued at around $14 billion remains pending presidential approval after the Trump administration approved a record $11 billion package in December.

Speaking in Taipei, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi declined to comment directly on the pending package because it has not been formally announced, but said Taiwan remained in communication with US officials.

Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament has delayed the government’s broader effort to secure an additional $40 billion in defense spending. Earlier this month lawmakers approved roughly two-thirds of the requested amount, earmarking it specifically for US arms purchases.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington have publicly urged the Trump administration to maintain weapons sales to Taiwan amid growing Chinese military activity near the island.

Trump also suggested after meeting Xi that he could speak directly with Lai regarding the proposed arms sale, saying he would need to talk with “the person … that’s running Taiwan.”

Chen said Taipei was still attempting to understand the “true intent” behind Trump’s comments.
A senior Taiwanese security official, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the issue, said discussions over arms sales should involve Taiwan rather than Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has rejected repeated offers of talks from Lai, whom Chinese officials label a separatist.
Kuo reiterated Taiwan’s long-standing position that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is “a sovereign, independent democratic country.”

Chinese military operations around Taiwan continued during Trump’s visit to Beijing, according to Taiwanese officials, as tensions over the island’s future remained a central flashpoint in US-China relations.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry thanked Washington for reaffirming that U.S. policy toward the self-governed island remained unchanged, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Trump’s state visit to China.In a statement, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed appreciation for repeated U.S. statements emphasizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry also accused Beijing of continuing military intimidation around the island through regular naval and air operations.“This demonstrates that Beijing is a major risk to current regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.Taiwan has emerged as the central flashpoint in increasingly strained U.S.-China relations, with Beijing claiming the democratically governed island as its territory and refusing to rule out the use of force to achieve unification.

Xi warned Trump during Thursday’s meeting that mishandling Taiwan-related disputes could push bilateral relations into a “dangerous place,” according to Chinese officials familiar with the talks.Rubio later told NBC News that it would be a “terrible mistake” for China to use force against Taiwan, reiterating Washington’s longstanding position supporting the island’s ability to defend itself.

Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu endorsed Rubio’s comments in a post on X, stating that Taiwan was determined to “defend the status quo and deter aggression.”Taiwan’s defense ministry said seven Chinese warships were operating around the island during the previous 24 hours, although no Chinese military aircraft were detected.

A senior Taiwanese security official said the island occupied a critical position within the so-called “first island chain,” a strategic arc stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines that is viewed by Washington and its allies as central to Indo-Pacific security.

Taipei is also closely monitoring whether Beijing increases military deployments following the Trump-Xi summit and ahead of the second anniversary next week of President Lai Ching-te taking office, the official said.China’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The latest exchanges underscore how Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive and potentially destabilizing issues between Washington and Beijing despite efforts by both governments to stabilize broader ties through diplomacy and trade engagement.