Lai Inspects Han Kuang Live-Fire Drills in Taoyuan Amid Typhoon Dolphin Downpour

President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo and National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, inspected troops in northern Taoyuan on August 9, 2026 — day five of the Han Kuang 42 live-fire drills — as heavy rain from Typhoon Dolphin swept the area, forcing Lai to wear a raincoat during the visit. Lai received briefings on military coordination against a simulated Chinese invasion and observed the 21st Artillery Command's Avenger air defense system, while Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles were tested separately in Penghu County. In a Facebook post, Lai thanked service members, saying the exercises show 'the country is safer and more capable of defending itself with better preparation.' Separately, Taiwan's MND recorded 4 PLA aircraft sorties (2 crossing the median line into the northern airspace) alongside 6 PLAN vessels and 9 official ships in the same 24-hour window.