TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan’s military police blockaded Guangfu Bridge early Thursday during an urban-defense drill near the East Asian island’s capital. The exercise tested how units would stop simulated armored forces from entering central Taipei.
The Central News Agency said the exercise covered the bridge and intersections at both ends. The Military Police Command said units practiced obstruction, defense and denial tactics to protect the Taipei Garrison Area.
On August 13, the commander ordered troops to simulate an explosion near a bridge joint.
The blast created a simulated road gap after attacking units drove defenders back. Troops placed gabions, concrete barriers, barbed wire and Czech hedgehogs across the route.
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Taiwan also requisitioned tour buses to reinforce the blockade under its civilian-force mobilization plan. Personnel fired T112 rifles under smoke cover while drones simulated aerial attacks.
Clouded Leopard armored vehicles then engaged the mock force with chain-gun and machine-gun fire, CNA reported.
Sheu Jyh-shyang of the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research observed the drill. He said future bridge exercises should include anti-armor rockets or Javelin missiles.
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The 10-day Han Kuang exercises began on August 5. The Associated Press said the drills test Taiwan’s response to a possible Chinese attack.
