Han Kuang is the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s largest annual military exercise, established in 1984, designed primarily to simulate and prepare for resisting a potential invasion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It serves as a critical test of Taiwan’s defense capabilities, tactical proficiency, and command resolve, evolving over decades into a comprehensive, multidomain military drill that reflects the island’s strategic priorities and geopolitical realities[2][3]. In recent years, Han Kuang has grown significantly in scope and complexity. The 2025 iteration, the 41st, was the longest and most ambitious to date, lasting 10 days and nine nights—double the traditional duration. It featured realistic, unscripted combat scenarios, including gray-zone harassment, urban resilience, coastal counter-landing operations, and protracted defense. The exercise integrated local civil defense drills under the “Urban Resilience Exercise” concept, highlighting a whole-of-society approach to national defense[1][5][6]. Key achievements of recent Han Kuang exercises include the introduction of advanced U.S.-supplied military hardware such as M1A2T Abrams tanks, HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot missile defenses, and domestically produced systems like the land-based Sky Sword II missile. These assets demonstrate Taiwan’s modernization efforts and growing asymmetric warfare capabilities—often described as a "porcupine strategy"—aiming to deter or complicate any potential PLA invasion[4][8][9]. The exercise also carries significant diplomatic weight. The presence of foreign observers, colloquially known as “English teachers,” signals increasing international attention and support for Taiwan’s defense posture. Despite critiques of earlier exercises as overly scripted, recent iterations have been praised for their realism, discipline, and operational rigor, reflecting Taiwan’s commitment to preparing its forces for the complexities of modern warfare[2][5][7]. Overall, Han Kuang exemplifies Taiwan’s adaptive defense strategy amid evolving regional threats, combining technological modernization, tactical