Taipei came to a brief standstill on July 17 when air raid sirens forced people off the streets and into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack.
Professor Alessio Patalano, Security & Defence PLuS Research Lead at King’s College London and Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia in the Department of War Studies, spoke to France 24 about Taiwan’s annual air raid drills. He explained that the drills take place against a backdrop of growing regional tension and increased military activity around the island.
While these exercises may look like simple evacuation drills, they serve a broader purpose: to strengthen societal resilience and send a powerful signal to Beijing, the Taiwanese public, and international partners that Taiwan is serious about its defence.
“Civilian preparedness is essential, not because an attack is imminent, but because psychological and societal resilience is critical in the event of military action.”
Taipei holds annual air raid drill to prepare for Chinese attack
Taipei came to a brief standstill on July 17 when air raid sirens forced people off the streets and into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack.
Professor Alessio Patalano, Security & Defence PLuS Research Lead at King’s College London and Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia in the Department of War Studies, spoke to France 24 about Taiwan’s annual air raid drills. He explained that the drills take place against a backdrop of growing regional tension and increased military activity around the island.
While these exercises may look like simple evacuation drills, they serve a broader purpose: to strengthen societal resilience and send a powerful signal to Beijing, the Taiwanese public, and international partners that Taiwan is serious about its defence.