Taiwan’s military on Wednesday showcased its growing defensive capabilities by firing its newly acquired HIMARS rocket systems during a live-fire exercise designed to simulate a Chinese invasion.
The drill marked the first time Taiwan has launched the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the island’s western coast, a strategically important area facing mainland China across the Taiwan Strait.
Military officials said the exercise focused on demonstrating the system’s “shoot-and-scoot” capability a tactic that allows launchers to quickly relocate after firing, reducing the risk of being targeted by enemy radar and counterattacks.
“Our HIMARS units demonstrated strong combat readiness and successfully completed the mission,” company commander Ko Ming-pin said after the exercise.
The rocket system, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has gained international recognition for its effectiveness on the battlefield in Ukraine, where it has been used extensively against Russian forces.
Taiwan first tested HIMARS on its eastern coast last year. Wednesday’s exercise represented a significant step forward, highlighting how the weapon could be deployed in areas considered most vulnerable to a potential Chinese assault.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly stated it is willing to use force if necessary to bring the self-governed island under its control.
Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels routinely operate near Taiwan, keeping tensions elevated across the strait.
Taiwan has responded by accelerating efforts to modernize its military and adopt what defense planners describe as an asymmetric warfare strategy.
Rather than matching China’s military strength directly, Taipei is investing in highly mobile, precision-guided weapons capable of inflicting significant damage while remaining difficult to target.
With an operational range of roughly 300 kilometers (190 miles), HIMARS can reach military targets along China’s southeastern coast, including facilities in Fujian Province directly across the strait.
The system is expected to work alongside Taiwan’s domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 multiple rocket launchers, creating a layered defense designed to strike Chinese forces as they leave port or attempt amphibious landings on Taiwan’s coastline.
The military also conducted live-fire launches of the Thunderbolt-2000 system on Tuesday as part of the broader exercise.
Taiwan’s government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s 23 million people have the right to determine their future.
As cross-strait tensions remain high, the latest drills underscore Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its defenses and prepare for the possibility of military conflict.
