TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — On Wednesday, Taiwan's military conducted a significant military exercise by firing rockets from "shoot-and-scoot" mobile launchers towards the direction of China. This live-fire demonstration showcased the capabilities of the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), marking the first instance of HIMARS rockets being fired into the waters of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the self-governing island from China.
Army Sergeant Wang Ming-hui asserted that the military would maintain its HIMARS training with a steadfast commitment to safeguarding Taiwan amid ongoing threats. During the exercise, reduced-range training rockets were utilized, which were designed to land in the water just off the coast, minimizing risk while still demonstrating operational readiness.
China perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province and insists that it must eventually come under its control. In this context, China regularly dispatches warships and aircraft near the island and has conducted extensive military drills in the surrounding waters. Although the United States does not formally recognize Taiwan as an independent country, it stands against any forceful alteration of the island's status and continues to be its principal supplier of defense weaponry.
The HIMARS system, capable of being swiftly relocated after firing, represents an advanced artillery option for Taiwan. It is a truck-mounted platform that allows for quick deployment and execution of strikes in what military strategists term "shoot-and-scoot" tactics. This particular exercise was held on Taiwan's west coast, which faces the Chinese mainland, using HIMARS as its focal point alongside the deployment of 155mm howitzers to replicate a response to a hypothetical Chinese invasion. The drills were intended to test rapid deployment capabilities and precision strike operations.
During the live-fire exercise, the HIMARS vehicle demonstrated remarkable speed and efficiency by receiving a firing order, moving into firing position, and launching rockets within three minutes. This quick maneuverability underscored the system's designed tactical advantages in a potential conflict scenario.
In December, the United States announced plans to sell an additional 82 HIMARS units to Taiwan as part of a substantial arms deal. However, this package appears to have been suspended following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing last month, raising concerns over the diplomatic complexities surrounding arms sales and military support in the region.
This military drill comes amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, highlighting Taiwan's efforts to bolster its defense capabilities in light of continuous Chinese military pressure. The incorporation of advanced artillery systems such as HIMARS underscores Taiwan's strategic emphasis on maintaining a credible defense to deter potential aggression.
