Taiwan has conducted its first live-fire test of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), supplied by the United States. The exercise, held at a military base in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan, underscores Taipei’s resolve to bolster its defense posture against escalating threats from Beijing. A total of 33 rockets were fired during the drill, striking targets located 12 kilometers away, showcasing both the precision and mobility that define the HIMARS platform. The M142 HIMARS, developed in the late 1990s for the U.S. Army, is a lightweight multi-rocket launcher mounted on the FMTV M1140 tactical truck frame. This system is designed to carry either six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile. With its single-pod configuration—compared to the dual-pod setup of the M270 MLRS—the HIMARS offers enhanced strategic flexibility while maintaining compatibility with existing munitions.
Taiwan received its first batch of 11 HIMARS systems in November 2024 as part of an arms deal approved by the U.S. government in October 2020. This initial delivery marks the beginning of a broader acquisition plan aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s long-range strike capabilities. Under its proposed 2023 defense budget, submitted to the Legislative Yuan on August 31, the Taiwanese Army plans to procure a total of 29 HIMARS platforms—18 more than initially anticipated. Additionally, the budget includes funding for 84 ATACMS missiles, representing a substantial increase of 64 units over previous projections.This pivot toward advanced rocket artillery reflects Taiwan’s evolving defense strategy amid growing military pressure from China. Notably, the decision to acquire additional HIMARS came after Taipei shelved plans to purchase 40 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Instead, the focus shifted to acquiring longer-range weaponry capable of deterring amphibious assaults—a critical consideration given Taiwan’s geography and vulnerability to invasion. To complement the new systems, Taiwan is also seeking 864 precision-guided rockets, each with a range of up to 300 kilometers, ensuring extended reach and accuracy.
The increased investment in HIMARS aligns closely with lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly Ukraine’s effective use of the system against Russian forces. Since receiving HIMARS from the U.S., Ukrainian troops have successfully targeted command centers, ammunition depots, and key infrastructure such as bridges, significantly disrupting enemy operations. Observers believe these successes have influenced Taiwan’s decision to expand its reliance on similar long-range assets. Financially, the shift represents a marked escalation in defense spending. In the 2022 National Defense Budget, NT$15.4 billion was allocated for the procurement of 11 HIMARS platforms between 2020 and 2027. However, the 2023 budget proposal nearly doubles this figure to NT$32.5 billion, reflecting the urgent need for modernized equipment capable of countering potential aggression
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Military analysts emphasize that deploying HIMARS provides Taiwan with a crucial advantage: time. By leveraging long-range precision strikes, Taiwan aims to delay and disrupt any attempted amphibious assault, buying valuable minutes for reinforcements to reach outlying islands under threat. As tensions continue to simmer across the Taiwan Strait, the introduction of HIMARS into Taiwan’s arsenal signals a clear commitment to defending its sovereignty and homeland—a message underscored by Monday’s live-fire demonstration. With HIMARS now operational, Taiwan appears poised to adopt a more proactive stance in safeguarding its security, mirroring strategies employed by other nations facing existential threats. Whether this buildup will deter further provocations from Beijing remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Taiwan is preparing for every contingency.
