On the morning of July 11, at Hualien Air Base, the Taiwanese Armed Forces carried out a “hot refueling” operation — a technique that involves refueling aircraft while their engines are still running — on F-16 fighters belonging to the 5th Tactical Fighter Wing.
The operation was part of the Han Guang-41 military exercise, aimed at testing the readiness and resilience of Taiwan’s defense forces under realistic combat scenarios.
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During the operation, mechanics and pilots worked in perfect coordination, simulating real combat conditions. Immediately after refueling, the jets took off again to carry out additional missions, demonstrating the Taiwan Air Force’s ability to maintain continuous air operations even under pressure or imminent threat.
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Using the hot refueling technique helps minimize ground time, enhance rapid response capability, and boost operational effectiveness during prolonged combat situations.
With this type of demonstration, Taipei sends a clear signal that it is ready to maintain its deterrence and active air defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the region.
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Source and images: 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC (Taiwan) | X @MoNDefense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
