Taiwan is actively strengthening its East Coast Defenses amid rising tensions with China, military officials confirmed. The Hualien Defense Command will conduct six days of live-fire exercises this month at Taimali River in Taitung. Tanks, mortars, and machine guns will train troops to improve readiness under realistic combat conditions.
Officials said China’s expanding amphibious fleet is driving these measures. The PLA has added Type-075, Type-071, and Type-076 assault ships capable of operating helicopters, drones, and landing craft. Consequently, Taiwan is accelerating deployments along its eastern coastline.
Taiwan also plans to deploy 66 F-16V Block 70 jets to Chihhang Air Base in Taitung next year. At the same time, the navy is creating a coastal operations command on the east coast. The command will integrate missile launchers, fast-attack boats, and radar units to strengthen Pacific defenses.
Military planners identified Sincheng Township in Hualien and Beinan Township in Taitung as possible deployment sites. Units will field domestically produced Hsiung Feng II, Hsiung Feng III, extended-range Hsiung Feng III, and US-made land-launched Harpoon missiles to strike approaching fleets.
The military designated Chihsingtan in Hualien and Chihpen in Taitung as “red beaches” for anti-landing drills. Troops conduct these exercises annually during Han Kuang drills, simulating real combat scenarios.
Meanwhile, the US Marine Corps is developing Japan’s Yonaguni Island into a strategic logistics and operational hub. During the Resolute Dragon 2025 exercise, Marines moved supplies efficiently and established forward arming and refueling points for helicopters. These operations support rapid deployments to Taiwan if necessary.
Experts said Yonaguni strengthens East Coast Defenses indirectly by providing a forward base for high mobility artillery rocket systems and interdiction units. Consequently, the PLA Navy faces a denial zone complicating Pacific operations. Analysts expect continued Taiwan-US-Japan coordination to reinforce regional deterrence.
Overall, Taiwan combines live-fire drills, missile deployments, and allied logistics to ensure East Coast Defenses remain robust against growing threats.
