Taiwan's military conducted its first west-coast test of U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems, demonstrating defensive capabilities against potential Chinese attack.
2:46 PM
Taiwan's military fired rockets from High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, into the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday in a live-fire exercise demonstrating its ability to repel a potential Chinese invasion.
The drill, conducted in Taichung City in central Taiwan, marked the first time the island has test-fired the precision weapons on its west coast. Taiwan previously test-fired HIMARS for the first time last year off its east coast. The U.S.-supplied system, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is widely used by Ukraine.
The exercise showcased the military's "shoot-and-scoot" capability, in which mobile launchers fire and then relocate to avoid counter-strikes. The military used reduced-range practice rockets that do not fly far from the coast, according to officials.
Army Sergeant Wang Ming-hui said in a statement: "Due to the current enemy threat, we will continue HIMARS training with unwavering determination to protect Taiwan as the nation's strongest force."
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Chinese warplanes and warships operate almost daily around Taiwan, according to officials.
The Taiwan Strait, which separates the self-governing island from mainland China, is approximately 100 miles wide at its narrowest point. Taiwan has faced increasing military pressure from China in recent years, with regular incursions by Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels into waters near the island.
The HIMARS system represents a significant addition to Taiwan's defensive arsenal. The platform's mobility and precision strike capability allow operators to launch attacks and relocate before enemy forces can respond, a tactic that has proven effective in other conflicts.
Taiwan's defense ministry has emphasized the importance of maintaining readiness and conducting regular training exercises to prepare for potential threats. The live-fire drill on Wednesday was part of broader military exercises designed to test operational capabilities and readiness across multiple platforms and units.
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