Key facts
- Taiwan began a five-day 'Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise' on Monday.
- The drill aims to improve the military's rapid deployment capabilities in a crisis.
- The exercise follows increased Chinese air and naval operations around Taiwan.
- China conducted large-scale blockade simulation exercises around Taiwan in late December 2025.
- The 'Justice Mission 2025' exercise involved naval and coast guard assets and rehearsed invasion elements.
Taiwan commenced a five-day combat readiness exercise on Monday, designed to enhance its military's swift transition to a wartime posture amid escalating pressure from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The "Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise" aims to familiarize troops with battlefield conditions and rapid deployment procedures, particularly in the critical period immediately preceding potential conflict. Officials noted that the PLA's increasingly frequent air and naval operations have shortened the response window for Taiwan's military.
Local media captured images of army, navy, and air force units occupying strategic positions, securing key infrastructure, and testing command, control, and logistical systems. The announcement of the drill followed the PLA's report of its second "long-range maritime training mission" of the year.
Separately, China conducted large-scale military exercises from December 29-30, 2025, named "Justice Mission 2025," which simulated a blockade around Taiwan. These exercises, occurring with increasing frequency since May 2024, aimed to isolate Taiwan, exert political and psychological pressure, and rehearse counter-intervention operations. The drills involved naval and coast guard assets, with the China Coast Guard playing a significant role in enforcing the simulated blockade. Propaganda emphasized blockade aspects, but rehearsals also reportedly included amphibious and air assault operations, as well as long-range rocket fire, potentially supporting invasion scenarios.
"Justice Mission 2025" simulated blockades of Taiwan's major port cities and interdiction of energy imports across eight zones surrounding the island. The exercises involved 18 PLAN vessels and 201 air sorties, with a substantial number crossing the median line between the mainland and Taiwan. The PRC framed these exercises as a reaction to foreign encroachment and as a means to intimidate "Taiwan independence" advocates.