Face to Face: What Has U.S. Pacific Command Done for Taiwan? Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung Speaks Out

The Han Kuang 42 live-fire exercise is scheduled to take place from August 5 to 14, 2026. This year's drill focuses on refining 'multi-domain denial' and 'resilient defense' operational capabilities, with nine key training objectives established. Chief of the General Staff General Mei Chia-shu stated during the 'Mental Combat Power Week' prior to Han Kuang 42, 'What truly deters the enemy is not symbolic weapons, but sustainable combat strength and resilience.'

What exactly does 'sustainable combat strength and resilience' mean? Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung provided an answer in an interview with media outlets including Storm Media. Meanwhile, in recent years, military exchanges between Taiwan's armed forces and the United States have become increasingly close. In many training exercises, the presence of U.S. military advisors—often referred to as 'English teachers'—has become common. After several years of such cooperation, what has Taiwan's military learned from these U.S. personnel?